The 19th Century saw massive voter turn out, with three presidential elections claiming over 80% voter participation. Voter participation began its decline in the 20th Century. The “downturn” was at the same time major sporting events began their rise.
“Andrew Jackson” style voting was a party. The debates and speeches might have been three hours long, but there was plenty of hard cider and a rip roaring good time to be had in the political process. Trying imagining a wild tailgate party with someone who wants your vote. Politics was entertainment.
…and along came mass entertainment. This included movie serials with no concept of CGI, sizable boxing matches, baseball in its prime long before Congressional hearings on performance enhancers, and other sporting events that allowed a new forum for what had been a political “party.” This downturn started with the re-election of TR and continued through the 20th Century.
However, things are changing. Social networking sites, blogs, YouTube and peer-to-peer campaigning has created epic fund raising and interest in the 2008 Presidential Campaign. While the results will not be known until November, the 21th Century has the potential to rival the political process of the 19th Century.
