Are we the best democracy in the World? Who is better?

[timmyshine]

Some say Sweden, others Ntherlands. I dont really know

We have a constitutional Monarchy, the Monarch has no real power so it can't be compared to places like Jordan.

The UK has an unelected second chamber. Until this is sorted out I do not agree that the UK is very democratic, let alone the 'best' democracy.

what do you make of a place like Switzerland with their system of referenda, that they call 'direct democracy'?

I used to think we had a complex governmental system, but then I watched West Wing and realised how utterly complex the US system is! Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Electoral Colleges, etc !!!

Come the revolution comrades, you can all have your vote and they will all count equally.

I will just ignore them all!

lexpolismum I think that direct referendum does not equate to a better democracy as it could mean that some people's democratic rigths are subjected if there is a tyranny of the majority - for example, the rights of muslims to erect minarets. Or, it means that people are penalised due to ill-informed reactive decisions, such as California which is pretty much bankrupt due to people voting for tax cuts but not service cuts. If there are referenda, the wording of the referendum can also effect the outcome - in NZ we had one that said "should smacking as part of good parental correction be illegal". Because of the many interpretations of "smacking" and "good parental correction" the results meant nothing and were ignored by govt.

ScroobiousPip I agree, I would say Scandinavian countries have the best democracies

Good points about the referenda, Penelope. But I also think that in any case modern election campaigns can lead to ill-informed decisions. Propaganda is a powerful tool.

On another note, I am not sure whether the right to erect minarets comes under democratic rights or the right to religious freedom, as surely democracy in general is about the rule of the majority anyway.