Introduction
The idea of political philosophy came into America political knowledge from German sociology; where it has an extended and diversified lineage. The German culture did not merge to form one articulate description of tradition, relatively; various writers emphasized dissimilar features of political principles such as the overall communal customs and practices, birthright of the past, acceptable manners of rationality and acting among other aspects that later form political system of political linkages. Understanding political systems from a holistic nature helps create a clear picture of the status of political systems. This paper’s main argument centers on elections as the best political linkage that enables American democracy.
Functions of elections
Elections create basic contributions to democratic authority. Since direct democracy- a system of authority in where political choices come directly from qualified populations is unreasonable, majority nations have democratic governments where representatives make decisions. Elections give voters the chance of choosing leaders to hold office for a certain period of time after which they can hold them accountable, either due to bad or good performance. Undermining accountability occurs when leaders holding office do not care if they make it back into office or not (Gierzynski 122). In addition, undermining accountability occur when one coalition party dominates and the voters do not have alternatives to pick out from during elections. Nevertheless, holding elections after a certain period remains the best way of facilitating democracy in America. The likelihood of monitoring leaders by requiring them to subject to elections after a certain periods of time helps deal with succession issues which comes with leadership and hence enhances democracy and its persistence. Moreover, in some regions, electoral processes are highly competitive and empower candidates or political party formations to uncover their track records and manifestos for the sake of future elections and staying in office. Elections act as platforms for the debate on public concerns and simplify the manifestation of community’s perspectives. Therefore, elections give political education to all people and make sure the openness of democratic governments to the society it serves. In addition, elections function as a means of legitimizing the activities of elected leaders, yielding power.
Elections support the steadiness and legality of the political system unlike other political linkages such as political parties, which express the opinion based on selfish interests rather than catering to the needs of the public (Gierzynski 132). Just like how public holidays honor shared experiences, elections connect people to each other and thus authorize the practicality of state. Consequently, elections assist in the acceleration of social and political incorporation.
Another important aspect about election is that it carries a self-actualizing resolution by endorsing the value and dignity of each person as a human being. Voting provides the people with the chance of voicing their say through their vote, political parties, in the process satisfying their need to belong government (Gumbel 207). Even if a citizens decides not cast a vote, the actions still satisfies the person as he or she separates themselves from the political community. For accurate motives, whether a person takes time to vote, or not does, all decisions are democratic rights, which later display equality within the community. Both decisions impact the electoral process and makes huge difference in the process and either way, a person decision not to vote reflects on the final results of the election.
Whether in democratic administrations or authoritarian governments, elections have ceremonial facets. Elections and the campaigns foregoing them are theatrical occasions escorted with rallies, placards, and live television broadcasting all of which indicate the importance of the event (Gumbel 197). Applicants, political parties and stakeholders represent various aims appealing to the signs of patriotism, transformations and future promises. Whatever the unusual state, local disparities, elections events bring out strong sentiments and then direct them toward shared symbols, which then interrupt the usual way of the life within the community.
Elections have to be free and fair so that it can represent the will of the people. A nation cannot claim it is democratic yet the elections are not free and fair to everyone. Serious improvements cannot take off without legitimately elected leaders in the government (Gumbel 110). Elected leader are charged with meeting the needs of the public hence through fair and free elections, they represent the actual needs of the people and must remain accountable to citizens. For an election to be fair and credible, specific political freedoms namely, liberty to speak, interact and gather need to be put in place hence granting people all the tools they need to achieve parity within the community.
In summary, Elections are key tools that assist nurture political starts and enlarge political participation in all the areas of a nation. Electoral processes provide political parties and community assemblies a chance to organize resources and funding to drive their agenda and win the heart of the public before the voting day. In addition, elections encourage debating on vital national issues and community dialogue. Therefore, there is need for a country to come up with a solid framework that would support elections.
Works cited
Gierzynski, Anthony. Money rules: Financing elections in America. Routledge, 2018.
Gumbel, Andrew. Down for the Count: Dirty Elections and the Rotten History of Democracy in America. New Press, The, 2016.
