The idea of a lottery – or at least a chance to win prizes based on the casting of lots – has a long and rich history in human society. Its use for material gain, however, is much more recent. Public lotteries first appeared in the 16th century and are generally credited to the English colonial period, when they were used for everything from paving streets to funding church construction. Lotteries remain a popular form of public entertainment in the United States today, and are a frequent source of controversy.
Despite the fact that the lottery is not a new practice, few people in the village are aware of its origins or the historical context in which it emerged. They simply take part in the ritual as a matter of habit and without giving thought to its deeper meaning. In this way, the story demonstrates how the simple repetition of an action can deprive it of any real value or meaning.
The fact that the villagers are gleeful and enthusiastic as they select the stones with which to kill their victim further underscores the point that the lottery is self-perpetuating – in other words, it is the action itself that motivates the participants rather than any underlying principles. Jackson thus warns us against blindly following traditions that we might not understand or even like, and against allowing ourselves to be swept up in mob mentality.
A primary reason for the continuing popularity of state lotteries is that they raise large sums of money that are not subject to any direct taxation. The money is often earmarked for specific purposes and it is easy to see how this appeals to legislators and state officials. Lottery critics argue, however, that the process itself is not so appealing and that its reliance on chance makes it an unfair tax on those who play. They note that most players are from middle-income neighborhoods, while those living in poverty are disproportionately represented among the losers.
Once established, state lotteries become highly centralized and heavily subsidized by specific constituencies, including convenience stores (which are the most common outlets for these games); lottery suppliers, who often make heavy donations to political campaigns; teachers (in those states where lottery revenues are earmarked for education); and of course state legislators, who grow accustomed to a steady stream of “painless” revenue. These special interests can easily dominate state policy, as is evidenced by the rapid evolution of state lottery regulations over time.
The lottery is a vivid example of the problems that can arise when policies are not made in a transparent and open manner, with input from a broad range of stakeholders. In the case of the lottery, policy decisions are made by a narrow group of state officials and then adopted by voters and the general public through referendums, and in most cases there is little or no opportunity to reevaluate the underlying principles. This is why it is so important for citizens to engage in advocacy on the issue and ensure that all voices are heard.