Compulsory Voting: A Remedy or Ruse for Democracy?
The debate over compulsory voting centers on a trade-off between participation and liberty. Scholars emphasize that democracy relies on political participation, but should it be mandatory? A key aspect of democracy is that citizens impacted by institutions should have a say.
Without active citizen engagement, representative institutions may fail to reflect the preferences of the governed. Elections, a cornerstone of democracy, have seen declining voter turnout worldwide, raising concerns about the health of democratic systems and the legitimacy of those who govern.
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Citizens who are impacted by institutions should have a say.
- Democracy thrives on political participation.
- Declining voter turnout raises urgent questions about democratic systems.
Author's summary: Exploring compulsory voting's impact on democracy.