2y ago

Britain is one of the world’s oldest democracies, but some worry that essential rights and freedoms are under threat

www.huffpost.com

This Basic Right Is Under Threat In Britain

10 comments

"Britain is one of the oldest democracies"
Is it?
We didn't have full and equal universal suffrage until 1924. Even ignoring that, elections before about 1832 were barely democratic in a lot of places.
- It's a pretty poor example of one, either way.
- Not sure with FPTP we are that democratic now... We desperately need electoral reform.
  
  FPTP isn't inherently undemocratic. It's not ideal, for any number of reasons, but it does have the advantage of a strong local link to representatives and (usually) leads to strong governments. I personally would prefer STV like Ireland has as a first choice, and as a second choice some form of MMP (like the Scottish Parliament, or New Zealand, or Germany)
Under threat ? That boat has already sailed. We no longer have the right to protest
I largely agree with the article's content and meaning, but the title is somewhat misleading imo as Britain is not a democracy.
- The UK is a democracy. Some may argue about how good of one it is, but it is one.
  The whole monarchy being technically all powerful is really a break glass in case of emergency thing. They can intervene once, then we would be a republic. (See 1975 dissolution of the Australian government by the crown)
  
  Well, I agree to some point. You know certainly more about the UK than I do (I'm not British), and you'll also know about 'royal interventions' like this or that.
  But I'd say this kind of lobbying is a reality in other European democracies, too, even without a royal family. There are just other interest groups trying to influence laws.
- In what way is the UK (not just Britain) not a democracy?

10 comments