in India’s Gujarat state, democracy is now mandatory.
The hypocrisy of this (unique to Gujarat) aside, is this an idea compatible with liberty?
Defending the liberal tradition in history, science, and philosophy.
Defending the liberal tradition in history, science, and philosophy.
in India’s Gujarat state, democracy is now mandatory.
The hypocrisy of this (unique to Gujarat) aside, is this an idea compatible with liberty?
{ 5 comments }
Actually, I believe that Australia requires all citizens to vote, or face a $250(AUS) fine.
Edited.
Yeap, it is.
http://www.aec.gov.au/FAQs/Voting_Australia.htm#Is%20voting%20compulsory
Though the fine is smaller than I remembered.
I’m with you Aziz. Not voting is also an expression of preference, consequently, it should not be restricted.
Thirty countries including Australia and France have compulsory voting for at least some elections. Although it offends American sensibilities, it can certainly be construed as democratic.
Frankly, if I were king, I’d drop anybody who didn’t vote in the last election from the rolls. Not prohibit them from re-registering, mind you, just compel them to re-register if they want to vote again. After all, without voting there is no democracy so there really should be some incentives for voting and continuing to vote.
I don’t’ have too much of a problem with compulsory voting, provided that all such votes include a ‘None-Of-The-Above’ option.
Many non-voters are in fact “voting” by consciously withholding consent, in effect voting for “None of the Above”. As JohnD notes, compulsion would be far less objectionable if everyone were given a meaningful choice. “None of the above” would provide that choice. There’s a nice video on this at: http://nota.org
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