Democracy

[Danik93]

the older generation in Sweden wants everybody to vote, and the argument they use is "people dies for democracy in some parts of the world and you don't even vote." I feel like in a democratic country you should have the choice of not to vote at all. But some people (like my dad) wants to make it illegal not to vote and I think it's wrong. What do you think?

 

[The_ModeRazor]

It's wrong.
You have the right to not decide whether you want a psychotic despot ruining everything you love.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Free speech is a key part of democracy, therefore you are free to not vote.

Despite not voting being a terrible cause of some things (I'm looking at you BNP).

 

[ReincarnatedFTP]

I think you should have the right not to vote as well as vote.
Why should the government force you to vote, especially if you don't like any of the candidates?

 

[That_Which_Isnt]

You shouldn't have to vote, voting is the consent to being ruled, I do not consent to being ruled.

 

[CK76]

I do not think it should be mandatory, but people should know abstaining form voting does not absolve them from blame. Often people doing nothing has allowed for terrible things to occur.

 

[Spitfire175]

Nobody should force you to vote, but if you don't, you have no right to complain.

 

[SilentStranger]

I have only been elligible for voting once so far, and I didnt because I didnt like any of the candidates. Next tiem I think I have to so the Swedish Democrats dont get any real measure of power.

 

[Lordmarkus]

Democracy is non-negotiable. Now go and vote like a good citizen or I must eradicate you. Damn these un-patriotic anarchists...

I feel that it's important to take the chance to vote, to feel that you at least try to throw out the government that are fucking up ones country. Voting is important in a democracy but in a democracy you must have the freedom of choice, in this case not to vote. It is simple as that.

 

[fulano]

Voting is a right and an obligation.

Not going about taking part in the needed procedure to ensure a better future while claiming "neutrality" is akin to spitting in the mouth of society, which would be fine if there was another valid alternative to it, but there isn't. The future everyone builds is there for you too, be that in subsidy for videogames(Yes! This happens in some countries), public education, subsidy for science, repairing sidewalks, building new roads, funding for the regulatory body that makes sure the food you eat isn't poisonous, etc.

You could make the argument that since you don't mess with anybody you are just fine, but what you don't understand is that there is no way that you can be disconnected from modern ubiquitous society--it's just not possible. If you are not doing your part then you are taking up space, sadly.

The only valid argument you could make is that you feel ignorant and want to get out of the way for the betterment of everyone else; if instead you are being apathetic then we have a problem.

 

[implodingMan]

An interesting way to look at the problem is with reference to the last Canadian election. Lowest voter turnout in history, I think it was around 55 percent. On its own this is a bit embarrassing, though it has disturbing implications about our leaders.

The current party in power, the Conservatives, is in power with a minority government. This means that while they did not get more than half of the seats in the house of commons they still got more than anyone else.

The implications of all this is that our current leaders have the direct approval of less than half of the people who voted, which was about half of the people who could vote, which still isn't the whole population of the country. Compounded together that means that the actual number of people who want these guys running the country is rather small.

So, what would required voting do? Well, it would give our leaders a larger sense of legitimacy for one thing.

 

[Simalacrum]

Its certainly wrong.

Liberty and freedom is something we (as in, the majority of the western world) take pride in, yes ? So what would be the point of imposing such a thing on the people? Its just hypocritical.

That said, I don't really understand why people don't bother to vote... Sure if they forget or something, thats fine, but if you can, then its nothing tiresome or hard... you just go to your nearest polling station and vote for a party, whats so hard about that? (unless, of course, you live in a place where the polling station is many miles away, that I'd understand of you don't want to vote... it all depends on personal circumstances. Still, the majority of people in a democracy should be in a position where they can vote with ease.)

I think its important that we young folk do vote so that our voice is better heard. However, it must certainly be a voluntary thing.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

It's wrong.
You have the right to not decide which psychotic despot you'll have ruining everything you love.

Fixed for you.

 

[electric_warrior]

well, you should vote, but it shouldn't be illegal not to

 

[LockHeart]

Forcing people to vote accomplishes nothing. People should have the choice as to whether they want to cast their ballot or not, just as long as they don't ***** about the current government if they didn't get off their arse and go to the polling station.

 

[infested]

Voting for president in the USA is like choosing between the lesser of two evils, and in some cases you still lose no matter what. But forcing people to vote is just another way of controlling the masses.

In short, it shouldn't be forced upon us to vote, and if you're really going to vote, do as much research into the candidates as possible.

 

[Hitman 43]

well, you should vote, but it shouldn't be illegal not to

Probably this.^

 

[Flishiz]

While I don't think one needs to vote by necessity, but they should have to log a non-opinion at the voting booth. That way nobody's forced to have an opinion, but they should have to physically go to a polling station regardless.

 

[Good morning blues]

In my opinion the optimal voting system would be one in which you could be fined for not voting, but the voter card had an "abstain" option.

 

[Calgetorix]

While I don't think one needs to vote by necessity, but they should have to log a non-opinion at the voting booth. That way nobody's forced to have an opinion, but they should have to physically go to a polling station regardless.

Well, you can always vote blank.