First elections, in particular, are almost inevitably of limited value as foundations of democracy, because they take place in an emotionally charged atmosphere and largely without substantive debate. They are an invitation to assert who one is and where one belongs rather than to a competition of well-defined and comprehensive political programs.
特别是首次选举，对于建立民主基础来讲几乎无一例外地没有太多意义。因为首次选举往往受到情绪的严重影响，而且没有进行过真正的辩论。首次选举的意义在于邀请政党表明自己的身份和态度，而不是邀请他们加入一场有着明确界限的全面政治竞争。