Electoral Democracy: The Manifestation of Collective Will and Deliberation

Abstract

This article examines the conditions under which elections can genuinely express the 'will of the people.' It argues that the establishment of a shared community and the engagement in genuine deliberation are fundamental to achieving this. Drawing on the philosophical concept of 'general will' as presented by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the article posits that a democratic society must first and foremost establish an effective social contract. This contract serves as a crucial mediator between conflicting individual desires, fostering harmony and collective wills. Furthermore, the article also notes that the establishment of a social contract is not a one-time event but rather, an ongoing process. It emphasizes the need for this contract to be consistently renewed and reevaluated through thoughtful deliberations. The article analyzes various election processes, highlighting the failures and successes of different countries. It underscores how different approaches to elections can either facilitate or hinder the formation of a representative general will. It finally concludes that elections, when conducted under the proper conditions of deliberation and a constantly evolving social contract, can indeed serve as authentic expressions of the will of the people.