Why do authoritarian states have 'Democratic' or 'People's' in their names?
-
Many countries include 'Democratic' or 'People's' in their names, even though they are not democratic and do not serve their people. Examples:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Lao People's Democratic Republic
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Democratic Republic of the Congo
And German Democratic Republic (East Side) in 1949–1990.
None of these states are democratic, power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a small ruling elite. Who are they fooling with these names?Can't believe you'd ask this question and leave out the People's Republic of China.
-
Same reason nazis put socialist in name but promptly killed off socialists and trade unions.
There was a point where the National Socialist Party was actually socialist. But Hitler and his ilk saw a party with popular momentum, joined it, co-opted it, and betrayed the socialist ideals.
-
Many countries include 'Democratic' or 'People's' in their names, even though they are not democratic and do not serve their people. Examples:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Lao People's Democratic Republic
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Democratic Republic of the Congo
And German Democratic Republic (East Side) in 1949–1990.
None of these states are democratic, power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a small ruling elite. Who are they fooling with these names?So that absolute morons can say stuff like "the Nazis were socialist, it's right there in their name"
-
Yes but when you say leg of lamb, most people don't give a shit which leg you're referring to.
There are multiple sets of states that are united under a single national government and are part of the American continents (Mexico and Brazil, for example) but only one of them claims to be THE United States of America.
Was the USA the first set of "united states"?
-
Same reason the USA has 'United' in its name.
Unrelated. For many intents and purposes the states of the US are in fact united. However the examples in OP are very much not democratic.
-
Elections≠Democracy. Again, you are expecting liberal west (or hegemonic) "democracy". I am not making a moral judgement of either, just trying to explain that the definition of democracy that has been shoved to the people's brain of the global north (hegemony) is not the only or the correct one.
What does hegemony mean here? And what would a non-hegemonic democracy look like?
-
Many countries include 'Democratic' or 'People's' in their names, even though they are not democratic and do not serve their people. Examples:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Lao People's Democratic Republic
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Democratic Republic of the Congo
And German Democratic Republic (East Side) in 1949–1990.
None of these states are democratic, power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a small ruling elite. Who are they fooling with these names?Because they're too cowardly to own what they are
-
What does hegemony mean here? And what would a non-hegemonic democracy look like?
I mean it in Gramsci's terms. For the second question I would say the ones cited by OP are good examples but horizontal organization is my preferred one, look about EZLN ways of horizontal democracy. Again not saying they are the correct or morally good ones either.
-
Was the USA the first set of "united states"?
In the Americas, and in the modern period yes, but the concept was not totally new. Switzerland was a kind of federal state since 1291: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Charter_of_1291
-
Was the USA the first set of "united states"?
if you stick strictly to the name "united states" then yes, it's the first entity to name themselves this. later entities include the united states of belgium but they appear later (1790).
however, the netherlands used the name "united provinces" and "(republic of the seven) united netherlands" from 1588, sooooo I guess it can count if you make your question broad?
-
R relay@relay.fedi.agency shared this topic
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login