[defaultname]

The US is a democratic republic. Canada, the UK and a number of others are parliamentary democracy.

They are ALL democracies, and I'm unaware of a single country on the planet that is a pure democracy. All are representative in some way.

This bizarre "not a democracy" (for the oldest ongoing democracy) is not based in reality at all, but someone read it somewhere and just mindlessly repeats it.

> It's easy to win elections when you promise free healthcare, free education, free childcare,... The average person will vote in their immediate interest and not worry about the big picture

In reality the "average person" votes against their own interest -- both short and long term -- at virtually every turn.

I feel like I've been trolled.

[akmarinov]

The UK is a monarchy. All power comes from the Queen, not the people, she’s the sovereign.

At least on paper.

[ryrymcfly]

Wait till you hear about the magna Carta....

The queen has no more control over the country than a hood ornament has over the direction of a car.

[rafale]

Wait until you hear about the reserve powers :P