Why Symbolic Politics? D'oh!

In class, and in the handout that was placed on BB6, I compared the ideal political system with a model of symbolic politics:

I. Ideal model of political system:
a. Interested and engaged voters,
b. Who are well informed by the media,
c. On positions of the candidates,
d. Select those who will govern

II. But we assume Political Actors are self interested...

III. Alternative Model: Symbolic Politics
a. Politics is an activity engaged in by the few
b. In a representative democracy, these few, the political elite, need the support of people
c. Numerous symbols and myths are used to secure and maintain the support of the (largely disinterested and politically unaware) masses.

Here's a news story that draws attention to the "largely disinterested and politically unaware" part:

Study: More know 'The Simpsons' than First Amendment rights
CHICAGO (AP) — Americans apparently know more about The Simpsons than they do about the First Amendment.

Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances.) But more than half can name at least two members of the cartoon family, according to a survey.

The study by the new McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that 22% of Americans could name all five Simpson family members, compared with just one in 1,000 people who could name all five First Amendment freedoms.