Reading "The Democracy of Abstention": The Return to Context in Electoral Analysis

Recent publications like 'Invisible France' & the title publication have inaugurated public debate over electoral analyses in France. Discussions have focused on explaining voting patterns by immersing oneself in a popular milieu, in addition to the usual procedures such as fact comparing. Brings out the results of examining political abstention, indifference, & declining participation. Claims a vast amount of data is covered making it difficult to sum up results. Concludes complementary studies will be needed to confirm this but draws preliminary conclusion that the electoral process is an alien spectacle to many more citizens, more perhaps than previously imagined. References. R. Ruffin