Sie befinden Sich nicht im Netzwerk der Universität Paderborn. Der Zugriff auf elektronische Ressourcen ist gegebenenfalls nur via VPN oder Shibboleth (DFN-AAI) möglich. mehr Informationen...
The Hidden Influence of Elections: Symbols, Rituals, Regularity, and Anticipatory Effects
Ist Teil von
Mens en maatschappij, 1980-02, Vol.55 (1), p.59-76
Erscheinungsjahr
1980
Link zum Volltext
Quelle
Sociological Abstracts
Beschreibungen/Notizen
Voters are aware that their contribution to the political process is insignificant, yet consider the electoral process very important. Hence this importance cannot be explained by the traditional conception of 'free competition for a free vote.' Another interpretation is presented which emphasizes the hidden influence of elections. Elections are essentially a regularly recurring phenomenon that stabilizes democratic politics. This stabilizing effect is related to the symbolic & ritual nature of the event. Moreover, the anticipation of elections affects political actors, pressure groups, & even the bureaucracy in interelectoral periods. It is suggested that elections contribute to political stability regardless of the system's level of democracy. A. Orianne.