[Olog-hai]

(I)t is very clear that in fundamental theory, socialism and democracy are almost, if not quite, one and the same. They both rest at bottom upon the absolute right of the community to determine its own destiny and that of its members. Men as communities are supreme over men as individuals. …

— Woodrow Wilson

The “spirit of democracy” is something that needs to be exorcised, not conjured. The USA is a Constitutional republic.

As you can see, Woodrow Wilson equated democracy to socialism, a totalitarian ideology that gives supremacy to the “community” at the expense of individual rights. A republic is the exact opposite of that.

[SteveH]

i already conceded that point and noted that i used the term democracy as shorthand for what we have now, not in the literal sense of the term. i posted that in a previous response.

[SteveH]

spirit of democracy might be another imperfect phrase. how about democratic republic. in any case, whatever we have now versus pure democracy.

[ETCM]

Our constitution enshrines republicanism, federalism and democracy. Yes, democracy is at the very core of our founding. There is no pure democracy. It is too unwieldy and difficult to manage, as our founders well knew. In fact, many people decry the 17th amendment as implementing TOO MUCH Democracy in place of Republicanism. But yes, we ARE a Democracy, AND a Federal Constitutional Republic. Take away any one of those four and you no longer accurately describe the USA.