Compulsory Voting: A Remedy or Ruse for Democracy?
The debate over compulsory voting revolves around a trade-off between participation and liberty. Scholars have long emphasized that democracy thrives on political participation, but the question remains whether participation should be forced.
A fundamental aspect of democracy is that citizens impacted by institutions should have a say. Without citizens actively engaging in politics, representative institutions risk failing to reflect the preferences of the governed people.
Elections are generally viewed as a cornerstone of democracy, yet across the world, voter turnout has been declining, raising urgent questions about the health of democratic systems and the legitimacy of those who govern.
The growing concerns are not without basis, prompting the need to re-examine the role of compulsory voting in democracy.
Democracy thrives on political participation – but should participation be forced?
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Author's summary: Compulsory voting's impact on democracy is debated.