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At least in US presidential elections, more people vote against a candidate than for a candidate. They justify it by saying say "I'm voting for the lesser of th
by andreyf 17y ago
At least in US presidential elections, more people vote against a candidate than for a candidate. They justify it by saying say "I'm voting for the lesser of the two evils", or "I don't particularly agree with everything my candidate stands for, but I sure hate the other guy". Examples in software also abound:
http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch02_Have_an_Enemy.php http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch02_Have_an_Enemy.php
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001246.html http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001246.html
- philwelch 17y agoI think we've witnessed at least one recent presidential election where a large number of people actually liked one of the candidates, and as a result, turnout and share of the vote were both much higher than other recent years. Being the lesser of two evils is only a viable strategy when both sides pursue it. The reason it seems to work in politics is because it's hard for politicians to be perceived as principled and noble.
- JoelSutherland 17y ago37Signals named their project Basecamp, not Anti-Project. Even if the strategy is to frame yourself against what is out there you still need to have an identity.