Why was democracy successful in the USA?

Answer 1

Has it been successful? It's lived on the brink of disaster, all my lifetime! and I am 86 years old. Yes you can argue that it hasn't been "successful" but were better off than most country's because of democracy. Democracy was successful mainly because our specific democratic system was set up before "politics" became a problem, and set up based on experience of what didn't work in England (and other countries). Americans came from England, seeking a verity of things: religious freedom, wealth, escaping debt, running from laws (just or unjust). At this time slavery was not yet in the US. All these people wanted the ability to achieve these things, and after deciding to brake away from England wanted to make sure others, and themselves could find these things. One point is people decided that "blood lines" didn't make one fit for rule, so we wanted an elected government. They also found that their were many corrupt leaders (pope, king, advisors, lords ect.). America crated a system of government to make sure none of these parties could overpower another (thus our system of "checks and balances" with the three branches of government). The point again being that all this took place before "politics" really began. Even though the people creating the US wanted things for their state to ultimately bring them and their state more wealth, this at least put politicians in the peoples interest (and since each politician wanted it for their own state no state was more selfish than another). We researched around the world for how governments were set-up, and we also created our own ideas, so that everything would be what the people wanted (not necessarily what they need, it's just what people think they want, which is what politicians job is; make people think that they want something, somehow to the politicians benefit) which has also freeded up peoples ideas in many areas allowing for considerable growth and a purpose in life to achive happiness (and actually haveing laws that allow you to attempt this). You may argue that I just described how democracy came to pass, not why it works in the US. But because it came to pass for all these different reasons, and was based upon these reasons we have yet to find a true way to seize power over anything. This prevents major corruption, and keeps things mainly in what the people think they want, which is close enough to what we need that it sustains the US enough to become one of the worlds greatest countries in the world.

Answer 2

From the moment of colonization, America was already instilled with democratic values from its colonizer, England. The idea that individuals have a right to determine how they are governed is a quintessential American ideal which has allowed for democracy to have a base of people who support it and nurture it.