Rytuał wyborczy i jego wpływ na postawy wyborców
- Institution: doktorant UG
- Year of publication: 2012
- Source: Show
- Pages: 302-320
- DOI Address: http://dx.doi.org/10.15804/npw2012217
- PDF: npw/03/npw2012217.pdf
Election is an inseparable element of the democratic system. Both the election campaign and the voting itself are the examples of the most spectacular political rituals. The voting ritual is connected widely with using certain symbols, myths and stereotypes.
Rituals play a significant role in society. Through the repeatability of actions and behaviour, they contribute to preserving the social order, as well as to inducing the community’s involvement. The ritual is a synonym of order, of generally accepted patterns. It also helps to keep social structures’ continuity. That way it creates a new reality, based on selected patterns and repeated actions. While analyzing the political situation in Poland, terms like theatre, spectacle, political arena or political actors are frequently in use. Politicians, through their behaviour, aim to attract the media’s attention – frequently by controversial behaviour and statements that are improper for a public figure. That way the political world changes into an arena of fight for power. This lowers the quality of political discourse, which is why a term tabloidisation of politics is frequently used.
Roles played by voters within any democratic system can be divided into two categories: rational and folk. The first one includes activities from the social and political area that bring certain results, the second – contains elements of magic. Unfortunately actions promised during the election campaign are far from realistic plans and agendas. The ruling class change into celebrities and actors with one purpose – to effectively play their role.