Democracy

[Aedes]

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.

You sir, speaks wisdom.

I, as a counter example, live in a country where it's illegal to not vote if you have 18 to 65 years. I always though I should have the right to decide if I want to or not to vote but even if I had, I would still vote since I want my city/state/country to improve. And voting is the way I have to make myself heard.
If you don't participate on it, you have no right to complain. You allow someone's opinion to be applied on your life by laws, constructions or whatever legal way.

So, answering to your question, I think it's wrong to force people to vote but worse to not participate in the process. You can always vote blank anyway.

 

[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.

You sir, speaks wisdom.

I, as a counter example, live in a country where it's illegal to not vote if you have 18 to 65 years. I always though I should have the right to decide if I want to or not to vote but even if I had, I would still vote since I want my city/state/country to improve. And voting is the way I have to make myself heard.
If you don't participate on it, you have no right to complain. You allow someone's opinion to be applied on your life by laws, constructions or whatever legal way.

So, answering to your question, I think it's wrong to force people to vote but worse to not participate in the process. You can always vote blank anyway.

First: You called me sir, so I like you.

What you say is exactly right. You can always vote blank(akin to cancelling it), which is a statement in itself(spitting in the face of politicians). I do remember that in the last nationwide election in my country(for the chamber of deputies) there was a movement pushing for abstentionism amongst voters because they felt they could not trust the government elected offocials, but what those dumbos didn't consider was that they were going to call winners and losers anyways. By voting one could at least make one's opinion matter, whichever way the decision went. I do remember I voted where I intended(nationals), and canceled mine in oth eothers(locals).

People seem to think that abstentionism somehow is the same, and it just isn't.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

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

Fixed for you.

Thunder, do I detect the anarchist in you struggling to the surface?

Kidding! Kidding!

I think it would be wrong to force people to vote or inflict any penalty on them for not voting. I also think it is backward to blame the actions of government officials on those who don't even participate in the process of election.

 

[Low Key]

Democracy is about freedom. No one has to do anything they don't want to do, but with the greatness of freedom comes the consequences of personal responsibility. Don't vote if you don't want to, but don't ***** when something you don't like happens as a result. It's a very fair trade off and it seems young people these days want it both ways.

 

[GoldenCondor]

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

Does BNP Stand for Beaten Nipple Pies?

 

[SomethingUnrelated]

Democracy is all about what the people want. and if some people don't want to vote, then that's fine. Then again, don't whine and complain if you end up in a dictatorship.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

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

Does BNP Stand for Beaten Nipple Pies?

Nope, because then I'd vote for it.

It's a racist organisation (British Nationalist Party) which we are allowed to vote for. Because everyone is disillusioned with Britain's current government people didn't vote much in the European elections, therefore allowing two BNP candidates to win seats in the European Parliament. Luckily the position is fairly useless, but if no one votes in the general election we might get - heaven forbid - a BNP member in the Westminster Parliament.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I think it would be interesting to see what would happen if voting were made compulsory in nation-states with low voter turnout...

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

Democracy is all about what the people want. and if some people don't want to vote, then that's fine. Then again, don't whine and complain if you end up in a dictatorship.

Dictatorships are frequently elected into office in free and fair elections. Just as often, an elected government installs a dictatorship elsewhere. Just sayin'.

 

[Tartarga]

This isn't a democracy, its a dictatorship masquerading as a democracy.

 

[Veylon]

I suppose voting shouldn't be mandatory, but not doing so is foolish. Why wouldn't you want a say in who runs your country? If nothing else, cast a Protest Vote [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protest_vote]. Get your lack of involvement on record!

 

[JediMB]

Vote. Just don't vote for the self-serving hypocrites who are in power right now.

 

[RufusMcLaser]

That's pushing democracy too far! Eventually someone would start running on the Apathy Party ticket, make it big with people who'd rather free-ride, and get the law changed back.

 

[Getatron]

What with the word "Democracy" meaning everything from killing people "for the sake of freedom and liberty and a chance for us to bleed the region of its natural resources" to the simple term "public rule", I find myself leaning to the other category. In that catrgory, voting is optional. Sure, it's good to vote, make your voice heard, but it should be in no way mandatory.

Nor should you "have no right to complain" if you don't vote. Why shouldn't you? I can complain about dinner if it's too salty even if I didn't set foot in the kitchen during cooking. Just 'cause I have no hand in decisions - as, indeed, is the very precise thing happening in today's so-called "democracies" - doesn't mean I can't have a say about it.

The day "democracy" gives me a full chance to take decisions in everything, I'll stop complaining if I don't vote. Until that time, though, I'll complain as much as I like.

 

[Hyper-space]

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?

its your job to vote for the lesser of two (or more) evils.

 

[FinalHeart95]

No, because the people who don't vote on a regular basis obviously don't care and might not even know a lot about the candidates. I daresay it's almost a good thing.

 

[Danik93]

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.

The Liberal party will take the power 2010 (i hope)

 

[Getatron]

Oh gods no, I hope to hell there won't be any liberals on the throne next period. The Swedish state's finances would collapse totally.

 

[Dr Ampersand]

If you don't vote then you're basically you don't mind so I think it shouldn't be forced. But if you live in Britain and you don't like any of the parties vote the Monster Raving Looney Party!