Leaders, or elites, as some call them, handle the day-to-day operations of most organizations. The average American actively participates in only one or two groups—including professional, religious, and recreational organizations.

Americans may vote and possibly donate to a political party before an important election, but few consistently participate in a party’s actual functioning. At the state and national level, a majority often do not even vote. Those who do vote normally limit their actions to a choice of candidates from the slates put forth by the major parties. The leaders have the responsibility to present suitable candidates for the electorate to consider.

Apparently, the leaders have failed to listen to their base voters. Outside contenders have roiled both major political parties in the runup to political conventions and the November elections.

If nothing else, the turmoil indicates that representative government is not exclusively for the big contributors or the lobbyists or the wealthy. Eventually, the average Janes and Joes will revolt if their leaders don’t listen to them.