In American politics, a crazy chemistry of Anger and Apathy
When the polls close today in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, the pundits will all be talking about the A-word.
Anger. According to the dominant narrative of the 2010 mid-term elections, anger is the driving force, the change agent, that is nudging the pendulum of our politics.
But the real numbers show that a very different A-word is just as powerful: Apathy.
In most of the battlegrounds today — and likely again in November — turnout will almost certainly be incredibly low.
I’ve been on a Google dive into the in-depth campaign coverage across the US and even in the most high-profile contests, involving tea party favorites like Rand Paul and progressive stars like Bill Halter, the vast majority of voters are expected to sit this one out.
What that means, of course, is that the first A-listers — that small minority of folks who are angry as hell — will wield incredible power.
The great, moderate middle of American values is generally silent, while the extremes fume and fuss.
That’s why political types focus so much energy on ginning up voter passion and building elaborate Get Out The Vote efforts.
In society write large, Apathy is probably much bigger force than Anger. But at the ballot box, the only people who count are the ones who show up.
The “silent majority” may bemoan its lot in our politics but maybe it’s their own fault. As the saying goes, “90% of life is just showing up.”
to be fair, most primaries are ‘closed’, meaning that only members of the party can vote. I, like many others in the US, are not affiliated with any party. We can’t vote in these contests.
It doesn’t take away from the larger point, however. Our participation in democracy is piss-poor.
Good post Brian M. Lotta truth there. And Verplank’s point about the primaries also rings true. That’s the sole reason I remain a registered “R”, at least I have a tiny bit of a voice that way.
Things could change and turn out could be heavier than normal. It kind of depends on what transpires between now and Nov. If the economy plummets then turn out will increase (anger), if it gets better then the citizens have their “bread and circus” and stay home. Hard to say what will happen at this point. But apathy is the biggest thing I’m hearing, especially at the State level. People are just too beat down and disgusted to care anymore.
Interestingly, most cultures that come to enjoy Democracy for a first time have an extremely high voter turnout and continue to (sometimes under threat of being attacked) Perhaps we have become too complacent with our form of government – it’s been around for 235 years. We all go on about how great it is at Fourth of July or Memorial Day services and celebrations but we don’t tend to put much effort into it. With all those rights come responsibilities but responsibilities take effort. I get involved with community issues and am always surprised at the few number of citizens that show up for the actual work but the numbers that complain loudly seems to be quite high.
Mark, Saranac Lake
The concept of “anger” is being misapplied, in my opinion.
There is no “out-of-control” behavior. There is no “letting your emotions dictate your actions”. There certain are no racial overtones. Yet, this is the false characterization of the word “anger” that is being applied.
There are some “very concerned” people who are “not happy” with the direction that the administration is taking this country. Realclearpolitics currecntly has right-direction at 34.6% and wrong direction at 57.9%.
No one is smashing windshields, or setting cities on fire or using racial slurs. This is the media’s use of the word “anger”.
The very concerned, very unhappy, very polite people will very soon get to show their restrained “anger” at the ballot box. Then, it will become clear what the media is so worried about.