GOVERNMENT

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Democracy

Help us, Alexis de Tocqueville. You’re our Only Hope.

What is democracy?

A form of government in which the citizens retain the power to determine their own self-destruction.

What does democracy look like?

This is what democracy looks like: it’s kind of pear shaped. It also sometimes resembles a likeness of the Virgin of Guadalupe on a grilled cheese sandwich.

How does democracy work?

Not so great, it turns out.

What are some alternatives to democracy?

Winston Churchill is famously credited with declaring ‘Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.’ Among those are the rules of Survivor, Shark Tank, and The Bachelorette.

What are the origins of our democracy?

American democracy was enshrined in the U.S. Constitution by our founders. Our founders took some of their cues from as far back as the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks came up with democracy because they needed a way to create an illusion of order and fairness during orgies.