The US isn't democratic 「Yes or No」

[Sanghyeok]

Democracy, according to countless US leaders, is an "American virtue" and something that must be "protected worldwide as a human right." Yet despite their politician's rhetoric, many US citizens rightfully wonder if the US really does support those same values at home as it tries to portray when invading yet another country accused of being "non-democratic". Indeed, not allowing many people to vote has been enshrined in law for most of US history. Only those white males holding property were allowed to vote in the beginning. Slavery was legal until 1865. Native peoples were not allowed to vote until the 1920s. Women gained their right to vote only a few years prior. De jure, the US has only been a "democracy" for about 60 years at most following removal of voting tests and taxes.

At present day, there are no legal barriers to voting for most US citizens, at least not directly. Yet there are other signs, such as widespread voter suppression, "gerrymandering", states given disproportional representation in the upper house, and of course the "electoral college". This is not to mention lobbying, corporate donors, and many of the most popular measures not being passed. If that's the case, can we really argue that the US is a democracy? People defending this system say that there are still people voting so there must be some faith in the system. They also say that some measures such as giving disproportionate representation is necessary for some reasons. But I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

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Sadly, I don't think the US is really a democracy at all, which is shameful given how much pain and suffering it has caused abroad in spreading this "democracy" and "freedom".
Note: I do not mean "democracy" as in "democracy" or "republic" sense but rather democratic values and procedures.

[Kowani]

will do effortpost later

short answer: not at all

[The Reformed American Republic]

Only those white males holding property were allowed to vote in the beginning.

Jefferson pushed to reduce voting restrictions early in our history. Even with the restrictions we had, we were still founded as a democratic republic. Unfortunately, we're heading towards oligarchy now, but I think that can be fixed.

[The Tark]

Of course not, the USA is close to a coup and also cant get anything done in politics unless its a partisan vote thats majority them

[Cordel One]

America isn't really that democratic at all. It's almost impossible to get any legislature and candidates into the public eye without the support of billionaires and corporations. The US will occasionally pass a minor reform to calm widespread unrest, but that's about it. Women and minorities can vote now, but minority votes are so gerrymandered they're still extremely underrepresented.

[Greater Kopmakia]

Currently, it seems the United States is becoming less and less democratic. When you think about it, the two-party system itself is suppressive as they manage to keep the population distracted with arguing amongst each other while nothing gets done in actual government. The only reason the two-party system has lasted so long is because it gives off the illusion of choice. To be honest, as long as the two-party system is in place, I consider the United States not to be democratic.

[An-Tanwir]

No recalling of representatives, no universal suffrage, no ranked voting, no state subsidized campaigning for third parties, no referendums, widespread gerrymandering, widespread voter suppression, no popular vote... doesn't seem all that democratic to me. More of a "choose your ruler" system than a "control the government" system. I guess ya shouldn't expect anything more from a system originally designed by and for rich white men.

[Diarcesia]

Nicely phrased question.

"Is not the US democratic? Yes, it is not democratic."
"Is not the US democratic? No, it is not democratic." (?)

It is democratic at the state, and not federal, level.

[Arcturus Novus]

The United States have never been a democratic - or even really a republican - institution. Its revolutionary figures were agrarian and mercantile aristocrats, many of them slavers and colonial upper crust. The only progress towards true democracy in America has been fought for, violently, by underclasses within American society. People are still fighting for a more democratic society here. The same cadre of people have mostly stayed in power for decades - how long have lawmakers like McConnell and Pelosi been in office? Our government is dominated by old, white, wealthy politicians who only have the interests of themselves, their friends, and capital at heart. They can afford to spend whatever money they need to stay in power indefinitely, and when they finally die, they and their teams can groom successors with no problem. That's not a democracy to me.

[Grill Pill]

America is the example of centrism that any true griller can appreciate. The government balances corporations and military, southern baptist and other evangelical churches, and democracy and oligarchy all in one finely grilled sausage. So I gotta say no, it's a centrist federal state.

[-Insaanistan-]

Absolutely!
But not really.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

It can be at times. Currently? Not so much.

[Rijk van Afrika]

Not 100% relevant to OP but I don't think America should be a democracy

[-Insaanistan-]

Not 100% relevant to OP but I don't think America should be a democracy

...
What the f-

[Sanghyeok]

It can be at times. Currently? Not so much.

I love your new flag!

[Rijk van Afrika]

Not 100% relevant to OP but I don't think America should be a democracy

...
What the f-

My point is that the US is a democracy - albeit a failed one - and that it should not be one. Not in its current form anyways.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

It can be at times. Currently? Not so much.

I love your new flag!

The artist I’m sure would thank you.

[-Insaanistan-]

...
What the f-

My point is that the US is a democracy - albeit a failed one - and that it should not be one. Not in its current form anyways.

While I think we need to fix our democracy, my parents are African, so I think democracy is the best idea.

[A Salmon Named Harold]

It's definitely not as democratic as we would like or believe it to be.

[Risottia]

America is classified as a "flawed democracy", like many other Western countries, as per Democracy Index.
I think this sort of classification makes sense.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

[The Provincial Union of the Pacific]

I believe the United States is a genuine democracy because I have been to several countries throughout the world and the United States seems very genuine. American democracy isn't perfect but it is very well made.
The point of the U.S. Electoral College, from my understanding, is to give states a more equal representation in elections so they are more content.

I say the United States is extremely democratic because I have had the unfortunate pleasure to visit nations which are not democratic at all, such as China, which was my encouraging factor to make an account on here because I wanted to see if I could run a government, where people get 'elections', but they aren't genuine elections because no matter how many people vote for the opposition you still get the same people and those people 'choose' who's above them, I do not know the structure of the upper echelons of the Chinese Government.

So I believe the United States to be very democratic, not perfect, but definitely democratic.

I do not mean to offend anyone by what I say here, if I do upset anyone; I apologise.

If my words don't make sense that's because I just woke up and I am still a bit tired.

[-Ra-]

It could do better, but it is a democracy by any meaningful metric.

[New Ruchaar]

Never intended to be a direct democracy. The left and the right are in agreement on the United States just not being a democracy.

And good. Direct democracies suck

I think I'm the last person to genuinely be pro electoral college. I'm okay with that though because that means I'm the last person to be right about the electoral college

[Stylan]

Nope, the US is extremely undemocratic, for example, the US doesn't even directly elect its leaders, our "electors" do, and they are bound only by their conscience and can vote against the popular vote any time they want.

[Stylan]

America is classified as a "flawed democracy", like many other Western countries, as per Democracy Index.
I think this sort of classification makes sense.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

that index is really bad no offense lol