Democracy describes the structure of government where eligible citizens actively take part in the day-to-day running activities of the government. The active participation could either be indirectly through representatives who acquire authority through elections or directly through passing and rejection of laws. They run the office themselves. However, to assess the level of democracy in the country completely, the survey must seek to answer some questions; does the government do what the people want? Can and do citizens participate? Are the government leaders responsive? These fundamental questions need to be addressed adequately before reaching a conclusion. I would like to assess the United States government on the basis of these questions.
Does the government do what its people want? This question describes a democratic government as one that has respects for what its people want. It puts the demands of the population ahead of pinching some cash for their own pockets. In the United States, the citizens claim that government involvement in solving national issues is quite evident. However, of concern to them is that this participation is inadequate. The citizens have come to believe that most politicians today are all talk with no action. Take the instance above, and one can clearly determine that the people wish to see national problems of the country dealt with, and it is obvious the country’s government is not producing results. A recent study found that out of ten Americans, six of them have firm belief that the federal government will do right of course but only for a little while another ten percent claim that it never does any right. This is a clear illustration of dissatisfaction among the citizens (Kollman 44). It clearly points out the fact that the government is inadequate in serving its clients who are the people of the United States.
Participation of the citizens in matters of the country is one important determining factor for a democratic state. A government must always be willing to let the people be the final judge. They are, after all, the ones who they serve implying that their duty is to them- the people of the United States. If shut out, then that form of government is no longer democracy but a dictatorship. A dictatorship is where all the participation from the public gains no attention and the interest of one person — the leader – gains preference over the interests of the whole nation. Study has shown that the United States government has given the public centre stage in order to allow them to take part in making important decisions (Kollman 61). By allowing freedom of speech to be a right for every member of the country, they are able to express their yearnings and views about the government whose duty is to strive to do better next time it gets the chance.
The responsiveness of the government is also a key determining aspect of democracy. It covers a broad scope in that it details from how the government responds to the response time. Where the government is violent towards accusations by the people or expressed positions about the kind of work, they are doing will give people of a non-functioning government (Kollman 82). On the other hand, one that is willing to adjust and correct its mistakes will show their readiness to work with the people.
In conclusion, to assess any government the above aspects need utmost attention. The United States according to the above case study is a democratic country. It participates in its citizens’ way of life and is ready to accept that it should increase its involvement. They also let the people participate in the legislative part in terms of giving their thoughts through representatives or even direct. Finally, their response is adequate. Hence, the government of the country is democratic.
Works Cited
Kollman, Ken. The American Political System. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2012. Print.
