Re: AUT: A Reply to Noam Chomsky

[Thiago Oppermann <thiago_oppermann@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 31/3/2004 9:27 AM, "George Ciccariello Maher" <gjcm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>> Abstentionism, in the US, fits perfectly into the agenda of the
>> worst of the worst.
>
> This may be true of a stable abstention rate, as exists now. But increased
> abstention could very easily create a virtuous cycle, in which such a decline
> reinforces the general belief that elections are shit, thereby further
> encouraging abstention. The fiction of democracy can maintain itself at 50%
> turnout, but it would be hard to see it doing so at 30% or 20%.

In fact, abstention rates in the US have increased. A lot of people draw the
conclusion that that is because those abstaining are satisfied. Maybe that
is bullshit in a lot of cases, but in others it is not.

I think you are hoping blindly that 20% voter participation would mean the
end of the American political system.


>
>> And yes, people should be forced to participate into the crappy electoral
>> system.
>
> bizarre, disturbing, and internally contradictory to top it off.
>
>> You are entirely free to cast an irregular vote. But I just don't buy it that
>> someone who stays at home >and lets the spectacle pass by is necessarily
>> making any kind of statement.
>> Besides , as you know very well, saying nothing will be understood as
>> consent, which makes the >argument that voting would be understood as consent
>> a very trite one.
>
> this is based on the same old ridiculous assumption that those not voting
> aren't doing anything else either, which isn't true. moreover, often it seems
> that precisely the opposite is manifested - i.e. people feel that they have
> done their duty as a citizen by voting, and therefore don't do anything

It's not ridiculous at all. Participation rates in the US are down to
something like 60%, probably less. I don't see 40% of the population
resisting in any visible way, or with any coherence or any degree of
lethality for the system. But as I said, my position - I should say our - is
one from on high, and perhaps there is something unsayable down there that
eludes our articulation.




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