What are the opportunities and challenges of a democracy?

Opportunity with democracy:

Democracy allows the people to be in charge of choosing their leaders. The leader chosen will then have power to make decisions on behalf of the people, but while this leader holds a certain amount of power, it is only temporary.  In other words, take for example a “good” leader.  Typically, we the people, would like that leader to stay in office.  However, with the notion this person only has a particular length of time in office, they may be inclined to do more with the time they have rather than prolong a situation.  Also, perhaps this “good” leader is humbled by the idea that one day they will no longer have that leadership role and will appreciate it while it’s in hand.  This time in office could be a way of the elected person to set examples to the people who did and did not chose them as well as following leaders to take that place.  Now if the leader doesn’t end up being “good” and tends to make poor decisions, then the limited time in office is a good thing for the obvious reason. 

Challenges of a democracy:

When we talk about a person with power, do we really stop and think about what got them there in the first place?   Of course the people, but while a majority of numbers elected that particular person, how many hours were spent in the decision process?  Research that had to be done to ensure this was the right choice, organization to campaign and show others why they should choose the same person.  Challenges present themselves during the entire process of election.  Things like the people continuing to participate in voting, making sure it’s a fair process, and making sure voters are allowed privacy by avoiding intimidation or coercion.  During election time the media is hugely involved, tons of groups whether it be democrat or republican are organizing information to support their nominated person, rallies are created, etc.  While all Americans are entitled to their own opinions, certain events or verbiage said during these election processes can create upset from argumentative discussions to severe unprofessionalism, and worse violence. 

Diamond, Larry. “What is Democracy?” Online posting. 21 Jan. 2004 <http://www.stanford.edu/~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm>.

Greetings!

Like most of you, I am new to blogging.  It will take me awhile of adding gadgets and pictures, before I am truly happy with the layout of my blog, but for the time being, I am up for the challenge!

Politics is not my easiest subject, but I feel the layout of our class is different enough from the typical "report writing" structure we could have, that this might be what I need to get through and truly understand the material at hand. 

As you may have noticed, my blog is listed under Lennie, but in class discussions you will see me as Elena.  I noticed from earlier blogs that there is another student with the same name so to help avoid confusion, I have added my nickname. 

A little bit about me: I had the hardest time figuring out what I wanted to do after high school.  I decided to take a break and later get a basic degree from the Community College of Denver.  After receiving my Associates in Science, I was still unsure what I wanted to do with my future and therefore took another break!  After working in various job settings, I decided that with my current knowledge and what I wanted to learn more of, led me to the business side of things.  I am finishing up my junior year with Metropolitan State College and am anticipating a graduation of fall 2012 with my degree in Computer Information Systems.  I spent a good portion of 2010 doing freelance work, but am ready to just focus on school and finish before I am over 30! Wink and a smile! J I am married to my dearest elementary, middle school, and high school friend and have a seven year old daughter named Isabelle.  We have two Saint Bernards and one cat and  live in the mountains!