Essay: Elections and Government

Do elections contribute to good Government?

If "good government" pertains to the advancement of Democracy through enhancing the ability of citizens to partake in governmental participation, while also socializing political activity for the masses, then elections by all means is a major contributor. While there are many factors that contribute to all around good government, elections stand out among others as a unique institution, a practice subject to rules and regulations that can be predicted and standardized. It is through this institution that nationwide politcal participation can take place on a scale as large that of elections.

One of the most important, yet often overlooked stengths of elections is that they allow for civilized, mass political involvement. As witnessed by human activities throughout history, competition between large groups of people with clashing interests often is reduced to anarchical, sporadic and often violent activity--a fight to the death. Elections allow this exact activity to take place. The difference, however, lies in the formality of national policies that "civilize" these interactions, making the process of mass participation accessible and predictable. In this way elections not only encourage citizens to partake in these political activities, but they establish order by reducing the liklehood of volatile action.

An equally important role of elections in contributing to good government is to increase support for governmental power. Contrasting with the approach of authroritarian regimes, democratic governments must always keep a close eye on citizen-government relationship. Elections not only work to rally support for political leaders in the government but they are tools for legitimizing rule. By allowing the people to vote, government gains a kind of "acceptance" from the them that allows policies to be more nationally accepted. In exchange for voicing their political opinion, the masses are voicing their accepting the policy of those in power. By providing this legitimacy, in accordance with taming and giving rules to the act of nationwide political participation and competition, elections contribute to and reinforce good government.