Well, they are good at shutting down alternatives, aren't they? Doug <<<<<>>>>>
Elections form the base of most modern theories of democratic politics. They are, it is said, the means by which the mass public monitors and directs the actions of those persons responsible for policy making. Under current political conditions in the United States, however, and given the characteristics of American political parties, elections may be limited and ineffectual. If so, why have them?
Elections play an important part in maintaining the current social and economic system, complete with its many inequalities. They do so even though - indeed precisely because - they perform largely ceremonial and symbolic functions. First, participation in elections give citizens a sense of belonging and of being part of a common enterprise and, therefore, acts as a powerful mechanism in emotionally tying the individual to the system. Second, elections are cathartic, thereby allowing the citizen to "blow off steam" and express discontent or enthusiasm within safe and nonthreatening channels. Third, elections encourage public acceptance of government policy, even those policies that have adverse consequences for many people, because voters believe that they themselves are at least partly responsible for the content of public policy. Fourth, the existence of elections delegitimizes direct, mass politics such as demonstrations and civil disobedience.
While elections generally have little direct influence on policy, the widespread belief that they are determinative contributes to the acceptance and legitimacy of policy. Whether or not much choice exists in the election arena or that the range of debate on issues is largely determined by the needs of the "major actors" in the economy is not at issue. From this view, the myth of the election and the myth of the voter are crucial devices in maintaining the status quo. Michael Hoover
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