The purpose of this chapter is to explain who have the right to vote, how the voters nominate public officials, and how elections are held.
Suffrage
Direct and indirect popular control.
How the Voters Control the Government.—A democratic government is one in which the people, acting directly or through their representatives, control the course of public affairs. This control may be exercised, as has been pointed out, in either one of two ways. It may be exercised directly, that is, by the use of the initiative and referendum. The proposal for a law comes from a designated number of voters, and the adoption or rejection of the proposal is decided by a majority of the voters at the polls.
It is easy to see, however, that the people cannot perform the entire work of government in this direct way. There are too many laws to be made, too many details of administration to be handled, and too many disputes to be adjusted. So most of the work of government is carried on by persons who are chosen by the voters for this purpose or who are appointed to office by the representatives of the people. Elective officials, as a rule, have authority to determine matters of general policy in nation, state, or municipality, while appointive officials, for the most part, carry out the policy thus determined upon.
GOVERNMENT. By Elihu Vedder
From a Copley Print, copyright by Curtis & Cameron, Boston. Reproduced by permission.
GOVERNMENT
By Elihu Vedder