Departmental Papers (ASC)
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
6-1994
Publication Source
Communications Research
Volume
21
Issue
3
Start Page
264
Last Page
292
DOI
10.1177/009365094021003002
Abstract
An election campaign serves ritual functions for the American political system, beyond its manifest functions of determining which persons and interests will govern the country. The campaign ritual is analyzed in terms of Durkheim’s concept of the totem, including its regeneration and sacrifice. The dirty campaign is a sacrificial feast that establishes conditions for a proper mating between the candidate and the electorate. Voters declare their fidelity to the totem victor and receive a sacrificial promise in return.
Copyright/Permission Statement
Marvin, C., "Fresh Blood, Public Meat: Rituals of Totem Regeneration in the 1992 Presidential Race," Communication Research 21(3), June, 1994, pp. 264-292. Copyright © 1994. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publication.
Recommended Citation
Marvin, C. (1994). Fresh Blood, Public Meat: Ritual of Totem Regeneration in the 1992 Presidential Race. Communications Research, 21 (3), 264-292. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365094021003002
Date Posted:11 April 2019
This document has been peer reviewed.