ABSTRACT
The principal means available to the citizen for exerting influence on government must be re-examined. Popular voting on local government issues is common in many states and some states provide for popular approval or disapproval of statewide policies as well. The act of voting can be regulated, whether the poll be for selection of officials, amending a constitution, or recording approval or disapproval of a referendum measure. As more people find some satisfaction with public policies and as the measure of their satisfaction increases the people more closely approach the ideal in democratic government. Believing political life to be so befogged with uncertainties, the people forced to reject formulations asserting that democratic government is simply rule by the majority. The chapter emphasis on provision for equality and majority rule in the American political system strays a long way from reality.
