LogFAQs > #980112142

justaguy3492 posted...

Out of the things you listed, gathering signatures for a ballot initiative or a recall are the only things that are on par with the efficacy of voting.

Those things are electoral, and just like voting, they're not effective or reliable without those other forms of organizing. But they're more useful as ways to encourage small d democratic behavior than voting because they require fewer people and more active participation/organization.

Those other things I mentioned aren't good just because of their direct effect, which may be minimal, or even negative in some instances. They're necessary because they build democratic habits and solidarity. They let people practice democracy.

The limited efficacy of voting alone should be very apparent in a world with an unelected, stacked, right wing judiciary allowing gerrymandering, dismantling the regulatory state, and striking down voter protections and popular laws/policies. Without those other strategies, that's the end of the story and apathy is increased because anything good that's passed will be struck down with no recourse anyway. That reality trains lawmakers and voters to think smaller and smaller and problems become impossible to solve, making politics less relevant to your average person who doesn't base their identity in being a Democratic Voting Antifascist.