What are the opportunities and Challenges of a Democracy? This question has played part in many heated discussions. Especially over this past week, many of my fellow classmates were able to discuss our opinion over the opportunities and Challenges of a Democracy. A Democracy gives its citizens the ability to be a part of the nation. The ability to prevent the authorities from becoming illogical and giving everyone a say! However the inequality America has among the people will be a continuous challenge in our society. Who has the better say in what goes on? A lot of upper class people with the more control of the money feel that, what the lower class people have to say in inadequate. Democrats and Republicans will constantly be pushing heads with one another, and citizens feel they need to hop on whatever boat of the two they feel is necessary. I like how in the “The Politics of Power” the author compared our society to the Titanic. The Titanic was full of social class distinctions, and your title was what distinguished you from the poor and the rich. The upperclassmen had everything they needed, catered to their everyday needs. They were living as though they had no worry in the world, while on the other hand, there were those less fortunate on the ship as well. They were not able to stay were the rich were or participate in the activities because they could not afford to do so. They were looked down upon and thought of in disgust. They acknowledged that there was poverty among them, but the wealthy had no desire to help them in any case. When Titanic went down, who were the ones given the life boats? How did they come to the decision on who was “capable” of being saved? Social class had everything to do with it, for the rich were sought as more worthy then the poor. To me this is ridiculous and sad, but very evident in our society till this day!
WHY DO AMERICANS POINT FINGERS INSTEAD OF COME TOGETHER?
We have heard many say we are a Republic, how is this possible if we are a Democracy. Is it possible to be both? A Democracy is ruled by many while a Republic is ruled by the law. Those who are in favor of the law clearly feel we are a republic. However if we were just a republic the citizens would not have the benefits that a democracy brings. I can see how those who are not in authority see America as a republic because no matter what, we try and blame what goes on in our society on someone else. The Authorities are our very first target when it comes to pointing fingers. We may have “voted” on who we want, but when he does not do what we want we all throw a fit and act as if we never knew such a thing could happen! For example: Obama’s election, we wanted Change; he offered and promised change. Americans voted in hope that change would take place. Well change did happen and of course not to anyone likes. Chris Hedges is another example on pointing fingers to our democracy; he feels America’s Democracy has destroyed our corporations. There is an hour long video of him going on about how he “believes” it is true. He talked about how Michael Jackson became the core of corporate transformation, and how he became a reflection of us. He tries telling us that citizens influence the bad that happens among our country. I personally feel this is too harsh and that yes, people may be suffering when they are in a higher division or level in class but they were placed their because they wanted it. Social classes, Titles, Groups, Political parties, etc.., are always finding ways to create more problems for one another in hopes to look better in the eyes of everyone else.
(So bloggers, what do you think? Does social class and Titles cause division among our society?)
(a funny video on what Americans know)
(pretty interesting on Republic vs Democracy)
