Is Democracy the best way in governance?

No form of government is perfect. However, democracy comes closer to that lofty ideal than anything else mankind has come up with. Modern indirect democracy (as opposed to direct democracy of the ancient Greeks, wherein everyone in the city voted on every issue) comes in two types, parliamentary and representative. In the parliamentary system, people vote for the party, not the individual. It works two ways. In some parliamentary systems, the party that "wins" the most votes gets the most seats in the legislature. So 20% of the vote means 20% of the seats, etc. Who fills those seats is determined by the "party list", a numerical ranking of party members which translates into the order they'll fill the seats. For instance, if the party wins 5 seats, the first five names on the party list fill them, and so on. Another variation is to have people vote on individual representatives in their "district", and whichever party elects the most representatives appoints the Prime Minister (President) and forms the national government. Either one can result in parliamentary deadlock, wherein no party wins a majority. Then you get coalition governments where small parties unite to form a majority. This gives them far greater power than they merit on the basis of their voting strength alone. American representative democracy attempts to avoid this problem by limiting participation to two parties. Third parties are allowed, but the deck is so heavily stacked against them, they're seldom successful. This avoids coalition governments, but still can result in gridlock when one party has a razor thin majority, such as the US. Senate does at present with 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. To accomplish anything they'll be forced to work together every bit as much as if they were in a coalitian. Still, I prefer democracy, in whatever form, and with all its faults, to any other form of government. As Winston Churchill so aptly put it, "Democracy is a very bad form of government, but all the others are so much worse!"

First thing to remember is that there is no such thing as an absolute democracy- no where does every member of a country get together and vote on every issue.

Second part- absolutely not. Our form of democracy (federal constitutional republic) is rather useful for OUR country(USA). However, in many other countries, our gov't type is useless and dangerous. Notice what is happening in Iraq- turmoil and civil war. In western Africa, any attempt to make democracy is a failure, as tribes rule regions, and any form of gov't is destined to fail.

Because our democracy is really a republic, it is NOT by and for the people, but is partially by and mostlly for the people.

All forms of government are inherently bad. Government is based upon power, violence, and the control of the majority by a very small minority. Democracy is no different.

In my opinion there is no "Best" form of government. It all depends on what works for a group of people and what rights are guaranteed to the people by whatever government

I guess if I wanted to make a guess an intelligent and benevolent absolute dictator would be the best form of government since there would be much less red tape to wade thru so more effiicient, faster to respond when needed, no political infighting and as long as is out for what is best for people then all these virtues go towards the state

If it is a true democracy, then yes. In the case of the USA I don't believe the minority rules the majority, nor do I believe it is by and for the people. I believe those in power - whether appointed, elected by the people whether legitimately or by rigged results - make decisions that fit into their own agenda and will benefit them.

No. And our country is not a democracy. Our founding fathers knew the dangers of a gvmt of this type.

In a democracy people vote on the rights of others, it is nothing more than mob rule.

We were originally set up as a republic where gvmt protected individual rights. And this was the best choice for the purpose of gvmt.

A true democracy is two wolves and one sheep deciding by vote what will be for dinner. We in the U.S. live in a republic run by the rule of law.

The only way to be fair, in my opinion, is the majority rule. A democracy.