Mark Joslyn

Elections: Engines of government power

We typically consider elections as accountability devices, the time when people can rebuke those in power and replace them with someone else. The people ultimately decide. Less understood, elections are important instruments of government power and authority. In fact the chief reason elections exist at all is because they benefit governments. This interpretation allows us to think more clearly about the role of democratic institutions and citizen participation.

Securing the right to vote – it’s not about protest, equity, and fairness. It’s about War.

Typically we think about the right to vote as something won – something gained through protest and persistent pressure on government. Turns out, that is only a small part of the story. This post details the rest of the story.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill – it’s not really bipartisan!

It’s been called bipartisan for months. It now law. But is it really bipartisan?

An Electoral Majority is not a Governing Majority

Our political system deliberately prevents electoral majorities from dominating government. Is this democracy?

What is Government?

What is government? The answer can clarify how we see political affairs.

The target is now unvaccinated Americans

Biden calls for mandates and blames the unvaccinated minority. Sharp rhetoric, bold actions but politically risky.

Lots of shouting but Democrats (like Republicans) will keep the filibuster

Will Democrats eliminate the filibuster? No. And neither will Republicans. But, filibuster politics does demonstrate the old maxim, “where you sit is where you stand”