UK General Election- May 6th

[Wezil]

People will often defer to others on matters they know little.

I am not an economics guy and will respect the opinion of those that know more about it than me (pretty much everyone).

People that don't vote are deferring to others more informed. Where's the problem?

[ricketyclik]

People will often defer to others on matters they know little.

I am not an economics guy and will respect the opinion of those that know more about it than me (pretty much everyone).

People that don't vote are deferring to others more informed. Where's the problem?

The problem is that this doesn't apply to all people who don't vote.

However, such people are perfectly free to show up at the polling booth, have their names crossed off and then not vote.

The fact that they do have to makes them more likely to engage and inform themselves. This is how compulsory voting serves democracy.

[Wezil]

What would you consider "informed"? They can recognise a party/name?

[notyoueither]

There are circumstances where 'we' will require young people to fight and die. I don't think it is unreasonable to require citizens to show up at a polling place every once in a while.

[Wezil]

Any young people that are concerned with issues of war and peace are perfectly free to express their political opinion on the subject.

[notyoueither]

Citizenship has responsibilities as well as rights and freedoms.

[Wezil]

Your side is making very poor argument on this.

Again, where is the benefit to society in having uninformed voters herded to the polls under threat of state sanction? How does this improve our governance?

[notyoueither]

Try reading the thread.

Although research suggests if people are forced to vote they also engage more in the process.

[ricketyclik]

What would you consider "informed"? They can recognise a party/name?

I'm not saying that all, or even most people are informed, but most at least take an interest. Also, I doubt that there is a correlation with level of informedness and whether or not people vote, judging by the level of support for the Republicans in the US

[Wezil]

According to rickety, they don't even have to cast a vote when they get there.

[Wezil]

Try reading the thread.

Although research suggests if people are forced to vote they also engage more in the process.

Then respond to the point/question I posed a a couple posts ago oh wise Thread Reader.

[Wezil]

I'm not saying that all, or even most people are informed, but most at least take an interest. Also, I doubt that there is a correlation with level of informedness and whether or not people vote, judging by the level of support for the Republicans in the US

So you question how informed actual voters are (so do I) but want to further extend the ignorance?

[notyoueither]

I will if and when I feel like it, mein fuhrer.

[Wezil]

If you did indeed read the thread you will see I responded to that quite some time ago.

[ricketyclik]

According to rickety, they don't even have to cast a vote when they get there.

That is correct. All we have to do is show up and have our names crossed off. We do have to put a ballot into the ballot box, but we don't have to write on it.