[HPforGrownups] Elections in the Wizarding World (or lack thereof)

[Becky Walkden]

No: HPFGUIDX 50620


 
 Christie wrote:
It might be that the wizarding world selects its officials in some 
completely unique way due to the availability of magic. If the 
TriWizard champions are chosen by a completely impartial judge-the 
Goblet of Fire-it's entirely possible that there is an impartial 
method of "electing" ministers. It would have to take into account 
public opinion though, since Barty Crouch Sr's political future was 
undermined because of scandal. 

I just thought about another impartial judge that we've seen-the 
Sorting Hat. It places students based on evidence pulled from the 
students themselves. If the Sorting Hat was biased Gryffindor would 
probably win everything, as it was Godric Gryffindor's hat and would 
pick all the best students for his house (unless, of course, it had 
reason to dislike him). Prefects could also be chosen by such an 
impartial judge, or for that matter could be chosen on the 
quantifiable basis of marks or house points gained vs lost.


Me

What you said about selecting officials is probably true a lot of the time, but not, I think entirely.  Look at the group who governs Hogswarts.  They were able to expel Mr. Malfroy which is an inherently political task.  They also suspended Dumbledore for a day or two and I'm sure could have selected a successor although that process is not actually spelled out in the book.

Also in the first book, Hagrid told Harry concerning the Ministry of Magic that "they wanted Dumbledore fer Minister o' course, but he'd never leave Hogwarts, so old Cornelius Fudge got the job."  Well, first "they wanted" sounds like a "political" and not a magical appointment.  Also, no magical selection process would have stuck the ministry with an idiot like Fudge!

Of course it's highly likely that a lot of these details are evolving with the book series and J.K. Rowling really hadn't thought out all the ramifications and little nuances when the series was started.  After all, having never had any book published before, she couldn't have really known the incredible spell her storytelling would weave on the world wide public.

Huggs Becky

Huggs Becky





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