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merrily

(45,251 posts)

1. Plato lived in Ancient Athens, which was an actual democracy, albeit lacking universal suffrage.

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Mon May 2, 2016, 10:52 AM

May 2016

With some exceptions, like felons in some states, we have universal suffrage. However, our form of government is a republic.

So, let's start there, We don't have too much democracy; apart from state ballot initiatives, we have none, though, to the delight of our elected officials, we seem to enjoy speaking as though we do.

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Does tyranny stem from too much democracy? [View all] DetlefK May 2016 OP

Plato lived in Ancient Athens, which was an actual democracy, albeit lacking universal suffrage. merrily May 2016 #1

It was a direct democracy. Igel May 2016 #2

The definitions of a "republic" and a "representative democracy" are identical. merrily May 2016 #3

"representative democracy" is far more descriptive than "republic" muriel_volestrangler May 2016 #4