What is a Democracy?
The word “democracy” derives from the Greek “demos” (the people) and “kratia” (rule). Even though WE honor the expression “the people,” the Greeks meant “the common people” or a “mob.” Our Founding Fathers meant “the people” to rule, but they meant people like themselves, aristocrats in today’s vernacular. When WE ask who are “the people” – who should rule – we mean ALL of us (over 18 years of age).The Greek philosopher, Plato, was not a fan of democracy as the Athenian democracy had sentenced his mentor, Socrates, to death. But those who made up the "democracy" of Plato’s day were aristocrats of their time, not the common people. Plato favored a “philosopher king,” an extraordinarily knowledgeable man who would never – from his own ambition – seek to rule others. We Americans, on the other hand, elevate ONLY those who would seek to rule others! Plato would not have approved.