|
|
|
MESSAGE FOR WEEK BEGINNING 11th December 2006 Democratic Choice
Democracy is becoming the skill of getting elected. I may already have mentioned the research, from the USA, which showed that students presented with the pictures of rival candidates in elections, correctly chose the winner in seventy percent of cases. There were no names, party affliations, ideas etc, just the picture of the candidate. It was not even a video clip but a still picture so matters such as confidence were not easy to see.
The main virtue of democracy is that there is no one else to blame but yourselves. Nothing is imposed on you. The choice is yours. But on what basis is that choice made?
The advantage of the party system is that you can choose the general theme or policy of the party - sometimes in the broadest possible terms. Yet the research shows that there must be choices across party lines, or significant choices by uncommitted voters for the best looking candidate to win.
Edward de Bono |