The Disappearing Democracy of the United States Essay -- America Polit

The Disappearing Democracy of the United States For Americans, the word â€Å"democracy† itself is strong enough to conjure up notions of a nation unhindered by an oppressive government where citizens are able to engage in the freedom of speech, press, and religious choice and practice. So powerful are American pro-Democratic sentiments that it is a common thought that any other country that does not prescribe to a liberal democracy is somehow inferior. Yet as time marches on, the feelings of superiority by American citizens become more and more unfounded. For, right before our eyes, the very notion of democracy, that Americans become braggarts about, is disappearing. While the U.S. government boasts of the freedoms it affords its citizens, it corrupts such an image through repeated non-democratic actions. While citizens cherish the affordances of a liberal democracy, many do not make the effort to support such a system; taking it for granted that no matter what, a democracy is a self perpetuating entity. In thi s paper I will argue that the liberal democracy that supposedly defines American government is a declining entity due to overt acts against the principles of democracy by the United States government and also due to the decline of civic engagement by United States citizens. The fact is, no system of government can be perpetuated if the government and its citizens do not work to keep their ideals alive and in practice. Since the inception of a democratic government in the United States’ early history, many have held that a liberal democracy should be the standard to which all other governments should attempt to emulate (CNN.com, 1). As the world’s leading super power, the United States sets an exampl... ...shi. (2002). The Acts of the Democracies. Retrieved March 2, 2003 from http://www.krysstal.com/democracy.html National Organization for Women. (2003). The Truth about George W. Bush -Domestic Policy. Retrieved March 9, 2003 from http://www.thetruthaboutgeorge.com/domestic/ News from Reality. (2001). Raping The Mountainside: Filling the Yucca Mountains with Nuclear Waste. Retrieved March 11, 2003 from http://www.hereinreality.com/yucca.html Revolutionary Worker. (2001). The Bush Plan for Vieques: Bomb Now Pull Out Later. Revolutionary Worker Online. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from http://rwor.org/a/v23/1100-99/1109/vieques.htm Schemo, Diana Jean. (2003). The Presidents Budget Proposal: Education. New York Times Online. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60E17F6355C0C768CDDAB08 94DB404482