Question

New England towns that hold annual town meetings also elect selectmen and other local officials. Why are selectmen and officials necessary?

a) To lead the town in a unified direction
b) To ensure fair representation in local government
c) To organize town meetings efficiently
d) To promote civic engagement in the community

Answer 1

Selectmen and other local officials are necessary because they help lead the town, ensure fair representation, organize town meetings, and promote civic engagement, providing a structure where direct and representative democracy coexist for effective local governance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Selectmen and local officials are essential members of a town's governance because they perform several critical functions that facilitate effective local governance. Town meetings provide an opportunity for direct democracy, allowing the eligible voters to discuss and decide on local issues.

However, the selectmen and other officials are necessary because they help to lead the town in a unified direction, ensuring that day-to-day administration aligns with the decisions made during town meetings.

Their leadership helps in organizing town meetings efficiently and ensures fair representation in local government, facilitating a structure in which residents have direct engagement with their governing processes.

Additionally, these officials support civic engagement by being accessible to the community, embodying the principles of representative democracy, where policy decisions are made not just directly by voters but also through elected representatives who can give matters the necessary attention and expertise.