We live in a Representative Republic (hopefully that's not news to many).
But that doesn't mean everyone wants to continue with our current form of government, or that many wouldn't at least consider another system.
The Pew Research Center studied our thoughts on a system of government and it was full of intrigue and interesting takeaways. Let's start with our thoughts on our current system of government:
Representative:
- 86 percent (say it's at least good)
Direct Democracy:
- 67 percent favor this idea
Rule by "Experts":
- 40 percent favor this idea
Rule by single leader:
- 22 percent favor this idea
Military Rule:
- 17 percent favor this idea
It's evident that many are open to multiple forms of government. It's also a bit alarming.
The good news, if you prefer freedom, is that our system of government wins out in supporting our government.
For as long as I can remember I've carefully denounced the characterization of our system of government being a "democracy". It's the most failed form of government ever attempted.
Democracies have been attempted throughout history and within about every type of culture. They've all failed. There is literally no operating democracy in the world.
In the United States there wouldn't be local, state or federal governments. There'd only be one that everyone would vote on for everything that the country would decide to do. Get the absurdity of the notion? Yet two-thirds favor it. In that context I guess I shouldn't be alarmed that more than 1 in 5 would go along with a dictatorship.
In case you're among the 67 percent on the democracy thing... We're a Representative Republic in the United States. Please pass it on. That apparently isn't the norm (even in the education system).