I disagree that the only way to exercise power as part of a party is to be the candidate. For a start, you get to decide who will be the candidate. In factionalised parties (ie, the Liberal party and the Labour party) this can make a hell of a difference to party policy, something that is well worth exercising. In smaller parties (ie, the Greens and the Democrats) you can influence policy simply by attending meetings and discussing it.
Remember also that political power is not all centred at a federal level. As a citizen of the state of Australia I can make a difference locally, if I choose to do so. Even without the vote at a local level (since I'm not a home-owner) I can influence political decisions. Hell, getting a job in the public service means you actually have some level of control as to how governmental policy is implemented. The lowliest clerk in the meanest apartment has some say in exactly how they do their job.
I think you're drawing a rather fine line between what you call direct and indirect influence, here. A vote is a tool to express your wishes. So is a letter, an affiliation with a society or participation in a rally. Each is more or less powerful, depending on the situation. I don't see how a vote is any more direct an approach than any of the others.
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zvi
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-05 05:07 (UTC)I disagree that the only way to exercise power as part of a party is to be the candidate.
For a start, you get to decide who will be the candidate. In factionalised parties (ie,
the Liberal party and the Labour party) this can make a hell of a difference to party policy,
something that is well worth exercising. In smaller parties (ie, the Greens and the Democrats)
you can influence policy simply by attending meetings and discussing it.
Remember also that political power is not all centred at a federal level. As a citizen of
the state of Australia I can make a difference locally, if I choose to do so. Even without the
vote at a local level (since I'm not a home-owner) I can influence political decisions. Hell,
getting a job in the public service means you actually have some level of control as to how
governmental policy is implemented. The lowliest clerk in the meanest apartment has some say in
exactly how they do their job.
I think you're drawing a rather fine line between what you call direct and indirect influence,
here. A vote is a tool to express your wishes. So is a letter, an affiliation with a society or
participation in a rally. Each is more or less powerful, depending on the situation. I don't
see how a vote is any more direct an approach than any of the others.