Democracy and Capitalism Essay - 1719 Words

Democracy and Capitalism Those who live in America enjoy freedom because America is a democratic nation in which the people hold the power. Is this statement truly a reality? One must consider the fact the United States is also a capitalist society and this has changed the face of democracy. Can we honestly say that the citizens of the United States hold the power when we consider the actual state of the political system? Upon closer examination, it appears that the majority of decisions made in this country are based in the interest of capitalism. From corporate funding for political candidates to the monopoly of ourinformation systems, the current political system in America is deeply rooted in capitalism which has taken†¦show more content†¦19). Presently, the political arena is one where the influence of capitalism is apparent because money seems to be a driving force behind the scene. If we lived in a democracy, running for president would be open to everyone, not just to those who can afford to spend millions on their campaigns. This need for money to gain an edge as a candidate demonstrates the connection between government and business. Candidates need financial backing from companies, creating a situation in which candidates feel obligatedto makesure they do everything in their power to meet the needs of the companies. This political to corporate connection puts power in the hands of those who financially support the candidate, not to those who vote for the candidate. There is a common understanding that a strong connection exists between mass communication and democracy (ONeil, 1999, p. 1). The connection is that for a democracy to function there must be open access to information. Without the existence of alternative viewpoints people would not be able to make informed decisions, therefore, it couldnt be considered a real democracy. In America we are given the right to freedom of the press, which is supposed to insure that we will have access to several viewpoints. In a society where capitalism and corporationsShow MoreRelatedDemocracy : The Causes Of Capitalism And Democracy1167 Words   |  5 PagesThe question of whether democracies create capitalism, or the other way around, I think is too simple and ignores the circumstances in which both are initially created. Historically, it was changes in the economic system and in structures of society, without appropriate simultaneous shifts in the government structure, that created enough ten sion within societies to warrant a complete reconstruction of governmental institutions. I tend to think that democracy does not have the potential to reallyRead MoreCapitalism vs Democracy2344 Words   |  10 PagesCapitalism and Democracy The political system and the economic system of the United States have been intertwined since the very founding of our country. Although there are many different views on how well the systems work or how they function, this has been a common thought shared by all different sides. Some have an optimistic view of capitalism, while others feel as though capitalism favors too few people. Two major points of view, the conservative and the â€Å"reform† liberal, describe how capitalismRead MoreCommunism, Democracy, And Capitalism3017 Words   |  13 Pages communism was battling with democracy. It was one of the most emotionally charged war, and time, in American, and possible the globes history. There was great fear of a global nuclear conflict, that would leave thousands dead, and essentially ending the world as we had ever know it. I will cover the history that is the cold war, and delve into the philosophies of the two main nations involved. I will be comparing the ideas behin d communism, democracy, and capitalism. When World War II ended itRead MoreThe Relationship Between Capitalism And Democracy2286 Words   |  10 PagesThe relationship between capitalism and democracy has been defined by many as fundamental complementary ideologies, and social scientists have discovered an undeniable link between the two structures with some suggesting that â€Å"where either capitalism or democracy flourishes, the other must soon follow† (Reich, 2007). Currently, the main form of modern democracy is polyarchal democracy which originated from the Greek word polyarkhe, meaning ‘many rule’. This infers that multiple people within a governmentRead MoreMedia And Society : Technology, Democracy And Capitalism1747 Words   |  7 Pages University of Maryland; Bettina Fabos, University of Northern Iowa and Julie Frechette, Worcester State University. It serves as an analysis of the perpetual relationship between media and society through three key concepts: technology, democracy and capital ism. These themes are connected throughout the entire book, but more than anything, Media in Society focuses on storytelling. As it targets a diverse audience, it does an excellent job exploring different stories the mass media tells and theRead MoreWorkforce Education : The Nexus Between Capitalism And Democracy780 Words   |  4 PagesEducation: the Nexus between Capitalism and Democracy. She discusses how democracy and capitalism are at odds on the subject. Her article surmises key players in the debate including Thurow, Prosser and Dewey. While summarizing the varying views, she concludes that democracy and capitalism have managed to survive and even flourish together for many years and that human capital is a key component in both views. Summary Wendy Gilpin believes that capitalism and democracy appear to be the aspirationRead More Unregulated Capitalism Undermines the Legitimacy of Liberal Democracy2355 Words   |  10 Pagesgood is questionable. Since the resurgence of unregulated capitalism in the late 20th century, social inequalities have grown significantly, with one percent of the most powerful countries attaining more wealth than half the world (Dunklin 2). Canada’s income gap has also risen, exacerbating morbidity and mortality (Bryant 47). However, the extent that government should reduce social inequities is controversial in a liberal democracy, which prioritizes economic freedom. That being said, socialRead MoreDoes Size And Growth Of These Two Nations Have Any Relation? Capitalism And Democracy?2381 Words   |  10 Pagesnations have any relation to capitalism and democracy? Democracy and Economic Growth: Is democracy excellent for the economic growth? Democracy is a multifaceted concept, a political structure based ahead the right of citizens to take part in political decision making during representation; whereby simply laws essential to continuing democratic procedures are compulsory standard to terming a state democratic. The free marketplace represents a superlative model of capitalism, since it denotes the mostRead MoreThe changing of Democracy Essay1124 Words   |  5 Pagescultures have evolved, the ideas of government and democracy have evolved as well. The economic and cultural status of a time period affects how people perceive their government. Living in a capitalist nation does not necessarily mean that democracy is non-existent. However, it does not mean that democracy in the nation has been fully formed and developed. The capitalist economy is altering the beliefs of what it means to be a democratic nation. Democracy gives power to the people. However, culturalRead MoreCapitalism: A Love Story Essay1063 Words   |  5 Pagespromotes capitalism enables businesses to gain wealth at the expense of the consumer’s wealth. Ultimately this becomes a question of morality as these corporations reap the money from hardworking citizens for the purpose of greed and exploitation of the free market economy. In the film, Capitalism: A love story, the film makers use conventions and point of view to show that capitalism in America is an evil that is better replaced by democracy. Michael Moore warns everyone that promoting capitalism will