In a democracy what is more influencial; who we vote or or what and how we purchse?

Question

Basically, are we more empowered as voters or consumers? Any views?

Answer 1

In a perfect theoretical democracy and free market economy, we would exercise equal influence in both spheres - only by mass action would we effect issues of supply and demand through our purchasing and not-purchasing habits, and only as a mass electorate would we influence the make-up of the government, and therefore its direction and tone during office.

In democracy and free market economy as we experience them in reality, I woudl argure that we have marginally more influence as consumers than as voters. If we act en masse, or even just come up with an idea that makes the company think they will sell more of a product, we can affect changes to their core business - eg the use of biodegradable materials to make fast-food cartons, which had an economic impact on their business, came about through consumer pressure, and undoubtedly endeared them to people who would not have bought their product before. If, on the other hand, we work en masse to get a political party elected, there's a long-standing doctrine of "effective mandate", which means they've gotten what they want out of us, and we are not expected or required to play any further part in their business until they need us to legitimise their government again. this leaves them free to engage with interests and policies for which the mass of the electorate never explicitly voted - eg the sale of weapons to dictatorship regimes, the waging of wars on flimsy pretexts etc.

So in real life, don't write to your MP, write to the CEO of a relevant company - you might not be able to stop the war in Iraq, but you might be able to get a new softer, aloe-impregnated toilet tissue on the market...What other generation could boast as much power, eh?

Answer 2

Yeah, it seems like you are a bit confused but given the current state of things that's understandable. The people in power want you to believe that you are more empowered as voters and that everyone is free to a lesser extent, and we are free to consume like sheep or cattle, free to choose your spot for lunch, your spot for dinner, your spot to live...but in reality you are limited by how much money you have available to you, and aren't really free at all. So in the end no matter how you look at it, you are more empowered as a consumer, but you are goverened in your power as a consumer by how much capital you have at your disposal. Basically voting is to sooth the poor and weak, and make them feel like they are doing something...the 2000 election proves it doesn't matter what the people think.

Answer 3

Aren't we pretty powerless as both?? It seems like the advertisers are the ones in control of what we spend our money on by guilting us into thinking we need crap to be cool. I'm not even going to talk about being a voter...I live in America, the land where the popularly elected guy loses...

Answer 4

In a democracy who we vote what is more influencial; In a capitalist socity what and how we purchse is more influencial

Answer 5

Putting your money where your mouth is makes the most impact.