[bots]

Originally Posted by lostalex

well the USA is the world's oldest and most successful democracy.


and no it doesn't strike me as weird that we have political dynasties in America. just like it doesn't surprise me when a Baker's son becomes a baker. And coming from a country with a MONARCHY it's certainly no where near as ridiculous.

The USA is not a democracy, at least with China, Russia etc, there is no pretence at it. Everyone knows what they are getting. For the record, when Putin was elected, he was universally popular with the people, they were in full support of him, it doesn't get much more democratic in those terms

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

The USA is not a democracy, at least with China, Russia etc, there is no pretence at it. Everyone knows what they are getting. For the record, when Putin was elected, he was universally popular with the people, they were in full support of him, it doesn't get much more democratic in those terms

i'm sorry, did you just say there is no pretense that Russia and China are democracies? because i'm pretty sure both claim to represent their people and that they adhere to democratic principles. so how do you figure that there are no pretenses?

[bots]

Originally Posted by lostalex

i'm sorry, did you just say there is no pretense that Russia and China are democracies? because i'm pretty sure both claim to represent their people and that they adhere to democratic principles. so how do you figure that there are no pretenses?

Having lived in Russia for several years, I think I can judge it pretty well, as can the people that live there.

Democracy is not an absolute, it is something that reflects the society that implements their version of it. That is why it is ludicrous to hold the USA up as some beacon, because its not. It pretends to be more than it is. Russia and China don't pretend.