"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority."
Lord Acton
As election day approaches, friends and readers ask how I am going to vote.
Rather than endorsing any particular candidate or political party, I want to propose a more systematic strategy for preserving our democracy:
Vote against incumbents, regardless of party or performance.
Let's reflect on the real meaning of a free, democratic society. Is an election primarily about putting someone in power, or is it a means to ensure that no one becomes too powerful for too long?
Many people go to the ballot box wishing for a great leader to carry out policies that will benefit them. But I believe the essence of electoral democracy is to prevent the accumulation of unchecked power.
When Xi Jinping removed term limits to extend his leadership in China indefinitely, even some CCP members condemned this blatant power grab. Yet, in democracies, we often overlook how repeatedly voting for the same party or politicians, election after election, can also lead to the accumulation of power. The key difference, of course, is that democracies have built-in mechanisms for peaceful power transitions. But what truly distinguishes a leader-for-life from a party that never relinquishes its grip on power?
Consider the consequences of prolonged one-party rule. California, despite its progressive image, grapples with a severe housing and homelessness crisis, exacerbated by zoning laws and entrenched political interests after decades of Democratic control. Similarly, Chicago's long history of Democratic governance has struggled to address deep-rooted urban challenges like segregation, poverty, and gun violence.
On the other end of the spectrum, Utah, a Republican stronghold, demonstrates how dominant parties can exert undue influence, as seen in the intertwining of religious and governmental affairs.
If you agree that one-party rule is bad, then you should not vote for just one party.
In addition, there are several practical benefits to making "Vote Against the Incumbent" a movement:
First, regular rotations in office help prevent the entrenchment of corruption and the abuse of authority. Incumbent entrenchment often leads to regulatory capture, where government regulations become tools for established interests to suppress competition. Regular power transitions can help break up these cozy relationships, promoting more dynamic and competitive markets.
Second, while elected officials come and go, career bureaucrats often wield significant influence within government. Introducing new political leadership forces bureaucracies to stay politically neutral. Whenever there is a new boss, bureaucrats need to defend their operations, budgets, and priorities, thus promoting efficiency and transparency. Regular changes in leadership ensure that no one becomes too comfortable or unaccountable.
Third, when parties anticipate regular alternation between governing and opposition roles, they are incentivized to be more realistic, pragmatic, and less ideological.
In his 1796 Farewell Address, George Washington warned:
"The spirit of party serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection."
Political parties create career politicians, and politicians role-play to appeal to voters. This is how politicians get elected and parties become entrenched. However, I see no reason why voters should think and behave in a partisan manner and even adopt partisanship as their identity.
I understand some people may find the idea of voting against incumbents regardless of their partisanship or performance absurd. For instance, some may argue that if the incumbent is doing a good job, votes should positively reinforce good governance and policies. But bear in mind that the goal isn't to reward good performance but to safeguard against the insidious nature of power. Even the most well-intentioned leaders can be corrupted by extended authority. History is replete with examples of benevolent rulers who, over time, became tyrants or grew complacent.
Another question people may have is, "Won't this create instability?" Paradoxically, regular and peaceful transitions of power foster greater resilience than prolonged one-party rule. A truly functional democracy doesn't need great leaders; it needs robust systems that prevent any leader from becoming indispensable. By consistently voting against incumbents, we can help maintain the democratic churn that keeps power in check and forces a regular renewal of the social contract.
Lastly, some might ask, "Isn't this throwing away my vote?" No – it's a strategic use of your vote to safeguard the health of our democracy. Every vote against an incumbent sends a powerful message: power must be earned anew in each election, not taken for granted. Ironically, mass media often reinforces incumbent advantages through familiar narratives and established relationships. Established parties and incumbents enjoy built-in name recognition and easier access to coverage. A consistent anti-incumbent voting bloc would force media outlets to pay more attention to challengers and fresh perspectives, potentially breaking up the echo chambers that reinforce political polarization.
I hope by now you are convinced that the goal of electoral politics isn't to elect someone specific; it's to preserve a system where anyone can be removed from power peacefully. That's the true genius of democracy that we must strive to protect.
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