Chapter 6, Campaigns and Elections, America Changes the Sheets Summary and Analysis

Chapter six concerns campaigns and elections, which are a democracy's "vetting" process. Campaigns and elections are where idealism and elegant design of American institutions are free to see if they can survive. Initially, campaigns and elections were seen as a mere means to peacefully transferring power, but after two centuries, the process has become its own rationale. They have become the most important aspects of democratic politics. Running for office takes as much as holding it.

The skills required to persuade votes often are the polar opposite of those needed to effectively govern. As a result, those who run for office are not those best suited to office, but rather those who want to be in power the most.

Running for office is a tough job which...