Sunday, December 28, 2014

An Introduction to Elections

Increasing public opinion knowledge has led to the evolution of democracy. In recent years the results of elections in the global setting indicates that the current parameters influencing election are different from old elements affecting this process. In this article, we tried to attend to the candidate's reputation, election atmosphere and media positions in the electoral arena. There is no doubt that the lack of recognition of these elements results in incorrect predictions of future elections results.

The position of candidate's reputation in elections 
There are many examples that show that reputation doesn't play a decisive role in the world current elections. For instant, in the recent presidential election in Iran, an unknown politician was elected as President. While competitors of Hassan Rouhani, were of the best-known and most influential Iranian politician. Also we can note to the recent parliamentary election in Ukraine; Yulia Tymoshenko's party unlike most predictions failed to achieve success in the elections. Neither Orange Revolution and nor serving a prison terms brought her success. Finally, in the last presidential election in Romania; even the Romanian unacceptable economy situation did not cause people to elect socialists. All of these indicate that people are looking for people who can trust them. In other words, we can conclude that the behavior of people in the electoral arena is not traditional but it is realistic.

The position of atmosphere in elections
That feeling governing the psychological and spiritual atmosphere of the entire election called "election atmosphere". Elections atmosphere may be emotional or intellectual and may also be peaceful or violent. Events, media, opposition and even the traditions of a society have an important role in shaping the election atmosphere. The candidate or parties who coordinate its electoral discourse to election atmosphere have greater chances of winning than its competitors. In recent Congressional elections in the United States the right-wing tried to impose the two elements of emotions and aggression on the elections atmosphere. In elections, who can choice the elections atmosphere is like a soccer team that have choice between the field and ball. However, it does not matter who sets the atmosphere, but it is important who could handle it better than others. In recent elections, Congressional, the left-wing did not interact with the election's atmosphere and continuous efforts to rationally defend its peaceful positions. Election atmosphere represents the people's demands. The successful candidate is the one who can meet people request. It should be noted that people demand may be in conflict with their real needs. For example, peace is people real need. But, people based on emotionally, and national and etc. reasons may want war. However, choosing the peace or war option only is correct that be according to political interest. So, in the case of conflict between people demand and political interest, it is unreasonable that political interests be sacrificed. In such circumstances, alternatives could be used. For example, if people want peace with all of world, including Russia, promulgation of peace with Cuba can be a good alternative. And if people want a total and ground war in Iraq, a limited war can be partly overcome the people's demand.

The position of Media in elections
Media's role in the regulation of public opinion strongly reduced compared to the past. Analysts and intellectuals wrote a lot of books and articles about mind control by the media. But there is much evidence that shows the current media has no crucial role in the control of public opinion. For example, despite the fact that most of American media as well as American politicians said that democracy in the United States is the world's best model of democracy but very few people take part in the election of America. About two-thirds of eligible voters did not participate in Congress last election. The vote of two thirds of people was "silence". 
Most of media and politicians were silence about social discrimination against blacks. But do this neglect led to people silence?! 
As a result, people will believe what they feel, not what the media constantly repeat.

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