The purpose of the recall is to ensure the complete and continual responsibility of public officials to the people who have elected them. It enables the establishment of longer terms of office without incurring the danger of autocracy on the part of officeholders. On the other hand, the recall is a weapon which may easily be perverted to wrongful use. If attempts were made to oust an officeholder whenever his work gives offence to any influential element among the voters, the recall procedure would soon become an intolerable nuisance in that it would be continually bringing the people to the polls. It would likewise deter independent and capable men from accepting office at all. But as a matter of fact the recall has not been widely used. For the most part the people have held it in reserve for emergencies. It is like a fire-escape on the outside of a building, not to be used at all under ordinary circumstances, but exceedingly valuable when an emergency comes.
General References
James Bryce, Modern Democracies, Vol. I, pp. 151-164 (Public Opinion); Vol. II, pp. 417-434 (Direct Legislation by the People);
A. L. Lowell, Public Opinion and Popular Government, pp. 113-232 (Methods of Expressing Public Opinion);
A. B. Hart, Actual Government, pp. 270-273 (Appointing Power); 276-294 (Civil Service);
W. B. Munro, Government of the United States, pp. 501-521 (Direct Legislation and the Recall);
E. M. Phelps (editor), Initiative and Referendum (Debaters’ Handbook Series);
Delos F. Wilcox, Government by All the People (The Arguments in Favor), pp. 104-128; 149-163;
Arnold B. Hall, Popular Government (The Arguments Against), pp. 120-143.
Group Problems