How Much Power Do The People Have (vs The Lobbies?)

[starshine]

Democracy is what we live in -- power to the people and all. At least, power to the majority of the people. They say that you have to vote to be represented, so that your voice will matter; they say that protesting in the streets will help change social issues. However, it seems that the lobbies get their ways much more easily and effectively than the voice of the majorities ever do.

How would you rate the proportions as to who holds the most power in our society? What does this mean for democracy in the country?

 

[Redheart]

Democracy is an illusion. Those who think it even exists delude themselves. What we have is a Corporatocracy. All over the world the governments are owned and run by the Corporations and the wealthiest people. The sooner people realized that they've been manipulated into believing their voice/votes count, the earlier we'll start fighting for change but then again, we'd only replace one bad group of people for another one that is just as bad or worse [look at Communist Russia for example or Napoleon's republic].

 

[003]

Democracy is really the power of people. The power of people! It would have to be the far majority of people and not just the majority by only a fraction. It must be about 80% if the country is big, and even greater if the country is small*. I am talking about population. It has to be the power of majority, but even if it were the majority, it must not be complacent. It has to be strong, and the people should work to make their power even stronger.

 

[orangesunset]

People can vote with their wallets. The problem is most Americans vote one way but then purchase contrary to what they vote. Everyone claims to hate walmart because they sell Chinese goods, meanwhile they continue shopping there.

 

[crimsonghost747]

I'm not a big believer in modern "democracy". Mainly because it isn't a democracy... it's not the people who can decide anymore. It obviously depends on which country we are talking about, but I can't think of a single one where the government is chosen by a simple "those who get the most votes go in" policy. There are parties, different areas vote for different people... the political system is a mess!