Uh. I have a question. Why does the candidacy for American presidential elections require the person to raise so much money? On what basis? Frankly, I don't know much about the American electoral system. We get these stuff from our own news broadcasts - how things are going in the US - and I can't figure out why.
Wouldn't that kind of system jeopardize virtually any kind of democracy by narrowing the participants who contend for political power to those who are supported by a handful of wealthy people (who obviously seem to donate VERY VERY large sums of money to whom they support... At least that's what it looks like to me)? Thus, proving that the democratic system of America is in fact a system where political power is entrusted to a limited few who (obviously) will uphold policies 'generous' to the social class the donaters are in?
The democracy of ancient Athens limited qualifications for political participation to the upper class - men with enough wealth. The bourgeoisie democracy of the 19th century also limited their voters to the upperclass - men with enough wealth. No women, no workers allowed.
Though universal suffrage is admitted nowadays, the people who are qualified to enter elections still seem to be limited. Now, frankly, I don't see much difference, nor do I see 'progress' of democracy during all those years. I just don't understand American democracy.
Can anybody fill me in?
