The term political absenteeism appeared in the first half of the 20th century. American scientists began to use it, describing the reluctance of citizens to participate in the political life of the country, and especially in the elections. Studies of the phenomenon of political absenteeism have given rise to many theories and hypotheses that explain its causes and consequences.
The concept
According to political science, political absenteeism is the self-removal of voters from participating in any kind of voting. Modern democracies are a clear demonstration of this phenomenon. According to statistics, in many states where elections are held, more than half of the citizens who have the right to vote do not participate in the election process.
Political absenteeism has many forms and shades. A person who does not attend the elections is not completely isolated from relations with the authorities. Regardless of his political position, he remains a citizen and taxpayer. Non-participation in such cases applies only to those activities in which a person can prove himself as an active person, for example, to determine his own attitude to the party or candidates for the post of deputy.
Features of political absenteeism
Electoral passivity can exist only in states where there is no external coercion to political activity. It is excluded in totalitarian societies, where, as a rule, participation in fake elections is mandatory. In such countries, the leading position is occupied by the only party that changes the electoral system for itself. Political absenteeism in a democratic system occurs when a person is deprived of his duties and gets rights. Disposing them, he may not participate in the elections.
Political absenteeism distorts the results of the voting, as in the end the elections demonstrate the point of view of only those who came to the polls. For many, passivity is a form of protest. For the most part, citizens who ignore the elections demonstrate their distrust of the system with their behavior. In all democracies, the point of view is that elections are an instrument of manipulation. People do not go to them because they are convinced that in any case, their votes will be counted bypassing the legal procedure or the result will be distorted in some other less obvious way. Conversely, in totalitarian states, where there is a semblance of elections, almost all voters visit the polls. This pattern is a paradox only at first glance.
Absenteeism and extremism
In some cases, the consequences of political absenteeism can turn into political extremism. Although voters with such behavior do not go to vote, this does not mean at all that they are not indifferent to what is happening in their country. Since absenteeism is a mild form of protest, then this protest can develop into something more. Alienation of voters from the system is fertile ground for further growth of discontent.
Due to the silence of “passive” citizens, you may get the feeling that there are not so many of them. However, when these dissatisfied reach the extreme point of their rejection of power, they take active steps to change the situation in the state. It is at this moment that you can clearly see how many such citizens are in the country. Different types of political absenteeism unite completely different people. Many of them do not deny politics as a phenomenon at all, but only oppose the existing system.
Abuse of passivity of citizens
The scale and danger of political absenteeism depends on many factors: the maturity of the state system, national mentality, customs and traditions of a particular society. Some theorists explain this phenomenon as limited electoral participation. However, this idea is contrary to basic democratic principles. Any state power in such a system is legitimized through referenda and elections. These tools allow citizens to manage their own state.
Limited electoral participation is the exclusion of certain sections of the population from political life. Such a principle can lead to meritocracy or oligarchy, when only the “best” and “chosen ones” gain access to government. Such consequences of political absenteeism completely obsolete democracy. Elections as a way of forming the will of the statistical majority cease to work.
Absenteeism in Russia
In the 90s, political absenteeism in Russia showed itself in all its glory. Many residents of the country refused to participate in public life. They were disappointed with loud political slogans and empty store shelves across the street from home.
In domestic science, several points of view about absenteeism have formed. In Russia, this phenomenon is a kind of behavior, manifested in the avoidance of participation in elections and other political actions. In addition, this is an apathetic and indifferent attitude. Absenteeism can also be called inaction, but it is not always dictated by indifferent views. If we consider such behavior as a manifestation of the will of citizens, then it can even be called one of the signs of the development of democracy. This judgment will be true if we discard cases when the state adopts a similar attitude of citizens, changing the political system without regard to the “passive” voters.
Legitimacy of power
The most important problem of political absenteeism is the fact that in the case of a vote of a small part of society it is impossible to talk about a truly popular vote. Moreover, in all democracies, from a social point of view, the structure of visitors to polling stations is very different from the structure of society as a whole. This leads to discrimination of entire population groups and infringement of their interests.
An increase in the number of voters participating in elections gives the authorities greater legitimacy. Often, candidates for deputies, presidents, etc., try to find additional support precisely among the passive population, which has not yet decided on their choice. Politicians who manage to make such citizens their supporters tend to win elections.
Factors Affecting Absenteeism
The activity of citizens in elections may fluctuate depending on the type of election, regional characteristics, level of education, type of settlement. Each country has its own political culture - a set of social norms related to the electoral process.
In addition, each campaign has its own individual characteristics. Statistics show that in states with a proportional electoral system, voter turnout is higher than in those where a majority-proportional or simply majority system is established.
Electoral behavior
Disengagement from political life often comes from disappointment with the authorities. This pattern is especially pronounced at the regional level. The number of passive voters increases when the municipal government continues to ignore the interests of citizens every political cycle.
The rejection of politics comes after officials do not solve the problems that concern residents of their city in everyday everyday life. Comparing the market economy and the political process, some scholars have identified the following pattern. Electoral behavior becomes active when a person realizes that from his actions he himself will receive some kind of income. If the economy is about money, then voters want to see tangible changes for the better in their lives. If they do not occur, then apathy and unwillingness to associate with politics appear.
History of the study of the phenomenon
Understanding the phenomenon of absenteeism began in the late XIX - early XX century. The first studies were conducted at the Chicago School of Political Science by scientists Charles Edward Merriam and Gossnel. In 1924, they conducted a sociological survey of ordinary Americans. The experiment was conducted in order to determine the motives of voters who shied away from elections.
Further research on the topic was continued by Paul Lazarsfeld, Bernard Berelson and other sociologists. In 1954, Engus Campbell, in his book “The Voter Decides, ” analyzed the outcome of his predecessors and built his own theory. The researcher realized that participation or non-participation in the elections is determined by a number of factors, which together form a system. Towards the end of the 20th century, several hypotheses appeared explaining the problems of political absenteeism and the reasons for its appearance.
Theory of Social Capital
This theory came about through the book Fundamentals of Social Theory, written by James Coleman. In it, the author introduced the concept of "social capital" into widespread use. The term describes the totality of collective relations in a society that works on a market economic principle. Therefore, the author called it "capital."
Initially, Coleman’s theory had nothing to do with what became known as “political absenteeism.” Examples of using the ideas of the scientist appeared in a joint work of Neil Carlson, John Bram and Wendy Ran. Using this term, they explained the pattern of citizen participation in elections.
Scientists have compared the election campaign of politicians with the fulfillment of obligations to ordinary residents of the country. Citizens have an answer to this in the form of attending elections. Only in the interaction of these two groups democracy is born. Elections are a “ritual of solidarity” of the values of free societies with an open political system. The greater the trust between voters and candidates, the more ballots will be dropped into the ballot box. Coming to the site, the individual is not only involved in the political and social process, but also expands his own sphere of interests. At the same time, each citizen has an increasing circle of acquaintances with whom he has to argue or seek a compromise. All this develops the skills needed to run for elections.
