Well, I believe that the reason that America has a Representative Democracy rather than a Pure Democracy is actually quite simple. However, first we must look at these terms and find out what they mean. Once this is cleared up, we will not only see that there are multiple reasons, but that they are quite obvious. First, democracy.
Democracy is a form of government where the people are sovereign, and majority rules with respect to minority rights. The first evidence we have of anything like a democracy came from Athens. It was very similar, but not as advanced as of course it is today. (Dunn) "The fundamental features of democracies include government based on majority rule and the consent of the governed, the existence of free and fair elections, the protection of political minorities, respect for basic human rights, equality before the law, due process, and political pluralism. With origins in ancient Greece, Rome, south Asia, and North and South America democracy has generally grown and expanded throughout history. The principles of democracy emphasize the importance of the individual in the context of government and, today, are a major influence around the world. Though the term democracy is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to other groups and organizations." (Wikipedia)
A pure democracy is more commonly known as a direct democracy. In this, every single person who chooses to participate in taking part in the process of making decisions has a say. You only need to be a citizen. I believe that this way can almost solely lead to chaos and confusion. Perhaps for a while it will be very successful and will work out very nicely. however, in the long run, you cannot have each person vote for every decision. That is why we did not choose a Direct, or pure, democracy.
"With so large of a body of people who have the right as we have in the United States today, direct government (Pure Democracy) is out of the question."(Hughes,425)
Instead we ended up with what is known as a representative democracy. The name basically speaks for itself, the people choose a leader based on popular vote and they make the majority of the decisions, definitely all the smaller ones, but also many big ones. The people are still sovereign however and the ultimate decisions lie with them, however we also chose the person, and in most cases people, that we think will make the right decision and the one we would choose ourselves.
I believe that this form of government was the best choice for America. I definitely think that it we made the right decision. The people are sovereign yet we don't have chaos by voting for every little detail. It is also good that we make the decision of who we want making decisions for us. that is the one detail everyone in America votes for, if they are old enough and want to. Soon i will be eighteen and i am delighted to say I will do my best that the person who represents America for the next four years will be someone who not only represents America, but represents me.
Dunn, John. Democracy: A History. Great Britain: Atlantic Books, 2005.
Hughes,O. Ray. Problems of America Democracy. Allyn and Bacon: United States, 1922
