Arnold and stealth democracy

Saturday’s Washington

Post quotes a California citizen who supports Arnold Schwartzenegger’s

gubernatorial bid: "His eyes brightened behind his glasses as he

discussed how someone like Schwarzenegger would bring fresh ideas and

an eagerness to correct the state’s problems. "’I’m hopeful that

he will be independent enough in his thoughts that he thinks like a

citizen and not as an experienced politician,’ [the citizen] said, ‘so

that he can do the right thing." Echoing Schwarzenegger’s ‘Tonight

Show’ line that he could not be bought, [he added]: ‘Everyone who comes

to work with him knows that they’re going to get nothing in return except

the satisfaction. We know he’s not looking for money, and that’s a plus.’"

This quote perfectly exemplifies what Hibbing and Theiss-Morse call

"stealth democracy" (See my

review of their book.) According to them, Americans believe that

there is no need for debates about policy, because all reasonable people

share the same goals. The fact that heated debates actually take place

proves that professional politicians are trying to gain some kind of

advantage over each other in a competitive game. And the reason they

play this game is that they want to obtain personal wealth from holding

political office.

I have no doubt that some Americans believe all this (including some

highly sophisticated people whom I have met). We’ll

see from the California recall campaign whether it’s the dominant view

in that state.