Theodore Lowi Quote

"Participation is an instrument of conquest because it encourages people to give their consent to being governed. ... Deeply embedded in people's sense of fair play is the principle that those who play the game must accept the outcome. Those who participate in politics are similarly committed, even if they are consistently on the losing side. Why do politicians plead with everyone to get out and vote? Because voting is the simplest and easiest form of participation by masses of people. Even though it is minimal participation, it is sufficient to commit all voters to being governed, regardless of who wins."

By:	Theodore Lowi (more quotes by Theodore Lowi or books by/about Theodore Lowi)
	(1931-2017) American political scientist
Source:	INCOMPLETE CONQUEST, (1981), pp. 25-26.
Categories:	Conquest, Consent, Government, Democracy, Politics, Vote, Authority
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