Election '82: AMERICA'S MESSAGE

Democracy may not prove more durable than other forms of popular persuasion, but it is more fun to watch. When someone casts a vote, for instance, he thinks he is doing one thing, is told by the experts he is doing another, and history decides he has accomplished a third. The fascination for the voter lies in functioning simultaneously as the individual and the mass, in pulling the lever for the candidate who will presumably do him the most good, then discovering his vote is part of a trend, which suggests in turn that...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!