The Value of Elections Lies in Potential

In class on Monday, we expended a lot of energy discussing the negative ways elections function in a managerial liberal state. We debated over whether elections make us more active or more passive in our political participation. We criticized the illusion of the citizen’s power while money and bureaucrats truly make the decisions. Through following politics over the years, it has become increasingly evident that all of this is true. However, the election system in the United States is by far the best political participation system seen in large nation-states today. With this in mind, I would find it difficult to live under a different form of government without the election process.

As discussed in The Nation State, the election system was developed in response to other not so effective outlets for political participation. For example, in European states popular sovereignty or the “general will” of the people was expressed through riots, demonstrations, and other equally volatile manifestations. While the passion of these citizens has been romanticized over the years, events like the French Revolution show us that excessive political organizing can lead to chaos in the state. In order to ensure more stability, the election system developed as a ritual or routine way for each citizen to chose who they want to represent their interests in government. While this might not be considered a “hands on” approach, it certainly gives our country a unique sense of consistency in our political activities.

Voting in elections is a gift we often take for granted as a society. While admittedly our participation is limited, citizens still have the responsibility to be well-informed before stepping into the voting booth. If we can generate a more active voting culture in America, I believe many of these issues with the election system will improve. While the system is by no means perfect, the value of the election system lies in its potential. Democracies with regular elections leave room for change, progress, and a constant opportunity for citizens to collectively influence their government when they so chose.