In a message dated 08/07/2001 10:59:40 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> "The US doesn't have a perfect reprsentative form of government. That
> admission, however, doesn't corrode the fact that the system in the US
> arguably meets the basic tenets of a representative democracy."
>
> what are the basic tenets of a representative democracy? can you give
> examples  with the usa.pre and post 1994 gambia.
> thank you
>

The basic tenets of a representative democracy is:

1.  the tacit and explicit consent of the ruled to the terms that exist for
their rulers to govern their state of affairs; i.e, government for and by the
will of The People
2. the Rule of Law and an independent judicial process
3. respect for both civil and individual liberties
4. periodic consultations of the ruled by their rulers on any significant
matter that affects their lives.
5. consitutional arrangements that explicitly singles out the The Peoples of
the said polity as the sole repository of sovereignty.

This list - or any other list on what the basic tenets of a representative
democracy entails for that matter - is not exhaustive; and like all such
lists, is subject to the distortions and prejudices of one's world-view. So
far your cookie-cutter approach has not been helpful in me understanding
where it is exactly you are heading. Can you please get to the point. If the
point is to expose the hypocrisies inherent in the American political system,
i will advise you to read my responses to Saiks.

All the best,

Hamjatta Kanteh

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