“Technically, the U.S. is a straight up mix of Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy (with each “higher form” ideally restraining the “lower form”, as one can confirm by the Constitution which originally called for an appointed President and Senate). In other words, the U.S. government is an attempt at creating a model Republic).”—Thomas DeMichele (http://factmyth.com/factoids/the-united-states-of-america-is-a-democracy/)
The Preamble to the Constitution reads: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
There have been a lot of comments recently about what “democracy” means. So, I decided to go back and review some of the civics lessons I learned as a child (lessons that seem to neglected lately). While the terminology varies from one to another, we are a “Constitutional (Democratic) Republic”—a “model Republic”.
The question I have been considering is “why?” For all its frustrations, it is an effective form of government. It is only effective, however, to the extent we participate. In other words, if we choose not to lead, we are subject to those we yield control. Ultimately, a Republic is a government of responsibility. As a citizen, whether, one holds elected office or merely exercises one’s opportunity to vote (or not), one decides the fate of one’s community. Each is responsible to look out not only for his or her own benefit, but one must also consider the effect of one’s actions on the society as a whole. A Republic should seek to balance wisdom and will.
I think often of the “Tragedy of the Commons”, the essay by Garrett Hardin written in the late ‘60s. It could easily have been titled “Tragedy of the Republic”. A Republic functions best when its citizens give as the take. It is most successful when the least amount of government oversight is required. When we act as community, we succeed together.
We cannot legislate behavior. We must govern Spiritually—that is, with the understanding the meaningfulness and purpose of life and the knowledge that the whole of society is greater than self. Government—of any type—fails when it is driven by self-interest. A true Republic seeks the welfare of all.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!