Mandates and swings

People in democracies need a sense of uncertainty in order to be convinced that their voice and their vote matter

Much has already been written about how 2024 is the year of elections. Four of the five largest countries in the world —India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan — will hold or have held elections. The second-largest democratic election in the world, to the European Parliament, is also due to take place. And there are yet more high-profile and highly visible elections in large or influential countries — including Mexico, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

More than anything else, this is a reminder that “democracy” as a term conceals more than it reveals. These are all incredibly different elections. Some,