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Single Idea 22678

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation ]

Full Idea

The period which immediately precedes an election, and that during which the election is taking place, must always be considered as a national crisis.

Gist of Idea

An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis

Source

Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America (abr Renshaw) [1840], 1.07)

Book Ref

Tocqueville,Alexis de: 'Democracy in America (abridged)', ed/tr. Renshaw,Patrick [Wordsworth 1998], p.60

A Reaction

Rousseau said something similar. Election day in modern Britain is very peaceful and civilised, but it used to be chaotic. The weeks preceding it are invariably nasty.

The 23 ideas with the same theme [government's consultation, by plebiscite or election]:

1566 The first priority in elections is to vote for people who support democracy [Anon (Diss)]
19965 The fundamental laws of a democracy decide who can vote [Montesquieu]
19968 It is basic to a democracy that the people themselves must name their ministers [Montesquieu]
19969 Voting should be public, so the lower classes can be influenced by the example of notable people [Montesquieu]
19999 All citizens (apart from the very humble poor) should choose their representatives [Montesquieu]
19748 Plebiscites are bad, because they exclude the leaders from crucial decisions [Rousseau]
7243 Silence of the people implies their consent [Rousseau]
19832 Democratic elections are dangerous intervals in government [Rousseau]
22800 Majority rule means obligations can be imposed on me [Hegel]
21792 The state should reflect all interests, and not just popular will, or a popular party [Hegel, by Houlgate]
20508 How people vote should be on public record, so they can be held accountable [Mill, by Wolff,J]
20507 Voting is a strict duty, like jury service, and must only be aimed at the public good [Mill]
22678 An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis [Tocqueville]
14846 If we want the good life for the greatest number, we must let them decide on the good life [Nietzsche]
20498 We should decide whether voting is for self-interests, or for the common good [Wolff,J]
20499 Condorcet proved that sensible voting leads to an emphatically right answer [Wolff,J]
20979 Democracy needs more than some institutions; diverse sections of the people must be heard [Sen]
20999 Democracy as 'government by discussion' now has wide support [Sen]
20095 A referendum result arises largely from ignorance [Reybrouck]
20609 If several losing groups would win if they combine, a runoff seems called for [Tuckness/Wolf]
20605 Rights as interests (unlike rights as autonomy) supports mandatory voting [Tuckness/Wolf]
20599 How should democratic votes be aggregated? Can some person's votes count for more? [Tuckness/Wolf]
20601 Discussion before voting should be an essential part of democracy [Tuckness/Wolf]