Abstract
This article is an address given at the May 2002 Maine Town Meeting sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan. Elizabeth Theiss-Morse takes issue with each of the alleged beneficial effects of increased participation and deliberation in politics. She presents evidence from her own research with colleague John Hibbing that suggests a more participatory democracy does not necessarily result in better decisions, a better political system or better people. Rather, most Americans would prefer not to have to participate in politics at all. Theiss-Morse explains where this view comes from and, in the end, argues for a civic education process that better prepares young people for the gritty divisiveness of our democratic system.
First page
80
Last page
88
Recommended Citation
Theiss-Morse, Elizabeth. "The Perils of Voice and the Desire for Stealth Democracy." Maine Policy Review 11.2 (2002) : 80 -88, https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol11/iss2/8.
