| republic? democracy? The USA in not a democracy, nor is it a democratic republic, because the executive is not directly elected by the people but rather indirectly through an electoral college that is not bound by the will of the people.
IE - in each state the people (you and me) actually vote for electors, the electors then supposedly get together and cast their votes for president. The general rule is that the electors cast their ballot for president along party lines, but they are not legally bound to do so. It is possible to imagine a senario where the majority of voters (you and me) vote for lets say the democratic party - but the electors for what ever reason (insanity, intimidation, bibery, stupidity, and yes even misconduct on the part of the democratic candidate that comes to light just as the election is taking place) the electors cast their ballot for the republican candidate. This system is exactly what democracy is not. It is a system where the elites place a filter between the reins of power and the mob (not the mafia but rather the masses) |
