“Please Vote For Me” falls within Machiavelli’s concept of Democracy. In The Prince, Machiavelli places emphasis on the notion that politics is not about morality. He believes that the principle of virtue, and striving to implement virtue in politics is an unfeasible ideal. Mansfield’s introduction to his translation of The Prince manifests Machiavelli’s precept that: “that no moral rules exist, not made by men, which men must abide by” (Mansfield XI). Later, Machiavelli denotes that the preservation of one’s power is synonymous with the preservation of society and “whatever is necessary may be called just and reasonable” (Mansfield XI). In the school election for class monitor, Luo Lei realizes what’s necessary to attain and preserve his power. While Luo Lei’s methods for winning the election may fall out of accordance with what many of us would consider moral, Machiavelli would contend that politics has never, nor ever will be virtuous. However, the class election is nonetheless a manifestation of democracy. Modern day American politics does not stray far from this classroom’s electoral microcosm. Politics today usually connote ‘unfair play’ in the sense that politicians will flex their influence to preserve or attain power; we most notably see this with bribery, coercion and ensuring unrealistic promises to their base. And yet, this is still democracy. What this documentary truly uncovers are the faults in the democratic system about how players who intend to manipulate politics through the preceding measures can do so.

– Ella Smit