The Reason Behind Electing the President Rather Than a Candidate

Are you one of those who wonder why we vote for the President instead of a candidate? In this article, we will explore the nuances of this decision and analyze the various factors that influence voters' choices. We'll break down the complex calculus that drives individual voter preferences and discuss the implications of different voting strategies.

Understanding the Distinction Between President and Candidate

Often, the roles of 'President' and 'candidate' are conflated, but there is a subtle but important difference. What we refer to as the candidate is typically an individual who campaigns for public office, seeking the role of President. However, during the election process, it is the President—who gets the most votes—that ultimately assumes the role. This clarification is crucial in understanding the dynamics of our voting system.

Voting Calculus: How Voters Make Their Choices

Individual voter preferences can be modeled as a result of a complex calculus, influenced by a variety of factors. Let's break down this model to understand how voters approach their decisions.

The Practical Voting Calculus

A more pragmatic voter's calculus might look like this:

Individual Voter's Candidate Choice (CP) as a Function:

CP D × t × T × F × pp

Variables: D (Diagnosis): The voter's diagnosis of the most pressing problems facing the nation. t (Treatment Plan): The candidate's stated or probable treatment plan for addressing these problems. This includes the policy measures suggested by the candidate's party affiliation. T (Temperament): The candidate's apparent or probable temperament, reflecting the necessary and established norms of political culture. F (Risk Factor): A measure of how risky the candidate is, considering possible temperament or extreme ideology issues. pp (Personal Preferences): The voter's own political vision and personal preferences.

Notice how personal policy preferences are given the least weight in this model. This practical approach acknowledges that the range of values for alternative candidates may be relatively small, and the fit may only marginally improve with the chosen candidate. This scenario is common in today's political environment, where candidate choices increasingly represent a grim compromise.

The Partisan Voting Calculus

A highly partisan voter's calculus could be simplified as:

Individual's Personal Policy Preferences (pp) and Ideological Preference or Affiliation (I): The voter's personal policy preferences may align closely with their ideological stance, often taken to extremes. Alternatively, the model could be inverted: CP I × pp, where the voter's ideological identity greatly influences their policy preferences.

The implications of a solely partisan approach to voting can lead to high levels of political polarization, with two distinct variants: conservatives/Republicans and liberals/Democrats. When the majority of voters base their decisions purely on ideology, the level of political division becomes pronounced. This can result in a mismatch between an individual's ideal candidate and the actual one available, leading to apathy and a lack of consensus on the legitimacy of institutions.

The Impact of Different Voting Strategies

The range of calculi-in-use within the voting population has significant implications for our political culture. Identifying and characterizing these various formulas can help diagnose and address issues in our political landscape. When the majority of voters adhere to a purely ideological calculus, the level of political polarization increases. Conversely, when voters use a more pragmatic approach, including a wide range of factors, the fit between individual preferences and available candidates improves, leading to greater engagement and consensus on government direction.

Empirical Research and Diagnostics

Political scientists and researchers have likely explored similar models and have provided empirical evidence on the distribution of voting calculi. By understanding the range of calculi-in-use, we can better diagnose and address problems in our political culture. Greater engagement with a diversity of factors in the voting calculus can lead to more stable and effective governance, capable of meeting both domestic and international challenges.