Final answer:
People contest elections in democracies for a variety of reasons, not merely to make money. While financial gain can be a motivation, other factors such as public service, policy implementation, and community representation also play significant roles. Moreover, despite the odds of one vote changing an election being low, citizens have many ways to influence government beyond voting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether people contest elections in democracies solely to make money simplifies the complexity of democratic systems. While it is true that the presence of money and the influence of powerful organizations such as media and large corporations are pervasive in politics, there are many other reasons why individuals participate in electoral processes. Aside from the potential financial incentives, democratic participation includes engaging in public service, implementing policies they believe in, and representing the interests of their communities.
Furthermore, the act of voting in a democracy allows citizens to influence government, although this influence might be indirect and the chance of a single vote changing the outcome of an election is minimal. The representative democracy model means that elected officials are accountable to vote on and pass laws reflecting their constituents' interests, albeit they are also subjected to the pressure from lobbyists and campaign donors.
Nevertheless, citizens have various channels to express their political views and influence government policies. People can utilize their right to free speech, volunteer, join interest groups, run for local offices, and participate in public demonstrations. These activities show that democracy is not solely driven by financial incentives for those who seek elected positions.