Does it really matter if a voter decides to vote-or, as a significant number of Americans do each election, not vote? Ron Hirschbein explores this issue and shows why enfranchisement cannot be understood unless it is placed in context and history. Clearly, the meaning of a vote depends upon the situation: a vote cast among the 400 of Athens or in the College of Cardinals has one significance; this is considerably different from pulling a lever every four years in a mass society of spectacles and commodities. Hirschbein also ... Read More
Does it really matter if a voter decides to vote-or, as a significant number of Americans do each election, not vote? Ron Hirschbein explores this issue and shows why enfranchisement cannot be understood unless it is placed in context and history. Clearly, the meaning of a vote depends upon the situation: a vote cast among the 400 of Athens or in the College of Cardinals has one significance; this is considerably different from pulling a lever every four years in a mass society of spectacles and commodities. Hirschbein also examines how voting was transformed from an expression of the political will of the Athenian polity into a sacred natural right-only to be turned to a ritual of mass society. First, Hirschbein looks at the right to vote as the centerpiece of American civic religion. He contrasts civic myths about enfranchisement with anthropological realities. Specifically he argues that, given the intractable mathematics of mass society, the chances that a single vote will determine the outcome of an election approach the infinitesimal. However, he suggests that voting plays a neglected ritual function by constructing, legitimizing, and celebrating political reality for players and spectators alike. Hirschbein then explicates the origins and evanescent meanings of enfranchisement by examining the theory and practice of voting among the citizenry of ancient Athens, medieval ecclesiastical bureaucrats, Enlightenment natural law thinkers, and the founders of the Virtuous Republic. He concludes with speculation about possible futures. A controversial and important analysis, this will be of interest to the general public as well as scholars, researchers, and policy makers involved with election issues and theories of democracy. Read Less
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $44.78, new condition, Sold by Educational Media Centre rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from New Delhi, DELHI, INDIA, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $44.87, new condition, Sold by Educational Media Centre rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from New Delhi, DELHI, INDIA, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $45.17, new condition, Sold by Educational Media Centre rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from New Delhi, DELHI, INDIA, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $45.18, new condition, Sold by Educational Media Centre rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from New Delhi, DELHI, INDIA, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $61.09, new condition, Sold by Basi6 International rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Irving, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $62.09, new condition, Sold by Basi6 International rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Irving, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $62.33, new condition, Sold by discount_scientific_books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sterling Heights, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: the Devolution of American Politics to cart. $68.23, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Clarita, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Praeger.
Add this copy of Voting Rites to cart. $87.55, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by ABC-CLIO.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Voting Rites: The Devolution of American Politics to cart. $89.33, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by Praeger.
