Compulsory Voting

Seminar Paper Topic 4:
Considering declining turnout rates and the irrationality of voting, argue in favour and in opposition to a arbitrary voting law.

Since 1992 there has been a dramatic hang in the amount of registered voter turnoutrs turning out to vote in the general elections. In 1992 77.7% turned out to vote compared with the chaste 59.4% who voted in 2001 (http://www.ukpolitical.info/Turnout45.htm). The figures rose slightly in 2005 to 61.4%. This drop in numbers has fuelled the debate about compulsory voting and whether only eligible people should be forced to vote in the elections.

There are many argu custodyts for compulsory voting. One of these competitions is that, as the figures from recent elections show, the nonage turnout to vote on a matter which will affect the majority. If only a minority of the electorate are turning out to vote then it is unimaginable to paint a clear picture of what is wanted from the electorate. If compulsory voting was in place then there would be a clearer idea of what the country wanted. Only a blanket(a) vote will give the correct picture.

It can to a fault be argued that as only the minority turnout to vote it illegitimates the government as the majority of the electorate have non had their say. This could be seen to be undemocratic and it also undermines the government.



Rousseau asked how a hundred men who wish for a master the right field to vote on behalf of ten who do not? Rousseau, J. 1762, On the Social Contract, capital of Delaware Publications, New York. The minority who are voting do not represent the effective majority and governments have been put in place by the vote of the minority. If compulsory voting was in place then the outcome would be a square-toed representation of what the electorate wanted.

The argument against compulsory voting also uses the argument that it is undemocratic. The right to vote is exactly that, it is a right. The electorate have the right to vote and the right not to vote. There are many things that we have the right to...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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