Difference between Democracy and Despotism

This is public domain Encyclopedia Britanica educational film about despotism that was filmed in 1946. It was based on the despotisms of Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy. However, this video is extremely relevant today, as it was over 60 years ago.

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[AndrewRossCraig]

"Democracy" /= "Freedom". A government of majority rule can be just as oppressive as one of minority rule. That's why the Founding Fathers hated the term "democracy"- they associated it with mob rule. That's why they set up the US as a Constitutional Republic with the only "democratic" element being the House of Representatives.

[TheBlitz1]

I'm a democrat and i don't see any propaganda here. They are explaining the definition of Despotism as its definition is in print in many countries. I see little speculative view in this production.

[olives639]

You're partially right. The founders were fairly split over the idea of a republic. The Federalists wanted strong centralization while the Democratic-Republicans wanted states' rights. Some even pushed strongly for monarchy. There was a lot of compromise in the Constitution, which is why we have national banking, but also permit states a degree of autonomy. In the end, it was more in favor of a republic, and yes, no one wanted democratic mob rule. Google "federalists vs. democratic-republicans".

[vi67]

USA is NOT a democracy.

The USA is a Constitutional republic - A constitutional republic is a state where the head of state and other officials are elected as representatives of the people and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all."

[girzwald3]

Some people(liberals) may call this a propaganda film but unfortunityly for them, it all rings true. Liberals are not tolerant. They want the power to go to a few, the government. And they want us to all be supported under one shared industry, socialism.

[astranine]

"This country was intended to be a republic and not a democracy". This is correct!

[LuciusBrutus]

The republic was setup as a check and balance against the tyranny of the majority in democracy. The republics ideal purpose is to defend liberty for all individuals and not let the majority over write liberty. The checks and balances seem to have failed though in favor of corporatism.

[9x23win]

Sorry to be a hard ass as the old propaganda flick was well meaning but off the mark. Democracy comes just before despotism and on that account Marx was philosophically correct. FDR was pretty much a despot although he fancied himself a benevolent one. This country was intended to be a republic and not a democracy.

[governator86]

Oh dear.. an old propaganda film, I am shocked "despotism" was not called "communism" that is what they described here.. not despotism.

And what the devil is a "despotin" Hitler was a despot, not a "despotin" lol, this guy is or rather was.. a complete fraud.

[miketheday]

The USA is approaching this.