1/28/08
ELECTIONS AHOY !
Vengrai Parthasarathy
What are Elections for ? Are they just for harangues by politicians, false promises and impossible loyalties, raucous music on loudspeakers and posters and banners? Elections should be more than that. Is the Indian voter going to think for himself, evaluate the candidates and judge their merits and elect the right person in the larger interests of the country? That is the question, a crucial question for ‘We the People”. . Let us have a glimpse of what is happening in USA and see whether there are any lessons to be learned. This essay is not intended to be a Primer on U.S. Elections but is an attempt to tell the story of voter participation in broad strokes
First up, months before the election for the post of President, the Parties hold what are called Party Caucuses and subsequently Primaries at which, they listen to all the aspiring candidates (six or seven of them) state their cases .It give them an opportunity to evaluate the candidates by direct participation . Each State has a quota of delegates who will vote for and elect the President. By a process of elimination in the caucuses and primaries, each party chooses its candidate. The Independents or third parties can, of course, stand on their own; but essentially the contest is between candidates of the two main parties.
A series of debates on the issues of the day are held and are viewed by millions on TV to determine who will be the best candidate of the Party to hold the office of the President. .They provide a great opportunity for voters/ moderators (usually from the media) to ask tough questions of each candidate. The hot-button issues in USA are debated threadbare. After this prolonged preliminary filtration, each Party selects its candidate for President. The contenders from the two Parties then debate, one-on-one, on all issues affecting the people and present their ‘vision’ for America.
The role of the U.S..President, who, unlike in India, is both Head of State and Head of the Government is a crucial one, since America is the leader of the Free World.
Political Parties represent ‘organized opinion’ on burning issues, Party adherents are expected to obey the Party line. But in practice opportunities are given to the voters to give voice to their preferences and the right TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND MAKE UP THEIR MINDS BEFORE MAKING THEIR JUDGEMENT.. That is the essence of democracy. Here are some remarkable features::
*ONE : the voters are generally educated and well-informed with the result that they can’t be won over with false promises and blandishments *TWO: they get many opportunities to measure up the candidates about their worthiness *THREE town hall meetings are held at which the candidate answers searching questions about issues and his or her vision for America. *FOUR: At the debates the moderators are known media men who ask questions, of each candidate on a variety of issues.
At the end of these ‘inquisitions’ a number of aspirants to office fall by the way-side and each Party projects one candidate for being anointed as President. This process is started early enough to give time for the voters to make up their minds. You know who holds the key to success in the elections? The Independents who constitute a good chunk of the electorate; they can and do swing the scales at the time of the elections; and are wooed by both parties.
With all this, things can go amiss due to systemic failures, as they did in 2008.President Bush was the one who profited by it..Well , that is another story.
Just now it is a right between Trump and Hillary.Anyone
can win. Keep your fingers crossed.