Journal Morosoph's Journal: Not Voting is a Valid Option 11
I write this because so many have said that if you don't vote, you have no right to complain. I agree that people should make the effort, but spoiling your ballot is an entirely reasonable thing to do.
The reason why is to some extent game-theoretical, although it is hard to make the argument rigorous. Essentially, a priori, one "should" have an equal probability of voting for any given candidate. The effect of this is that in a (say) five candidate election, apart from one's choice getting elected, you can also pass on a message of how to win your vote next time.
Assuming that your choice doesn't get in, this means that you can pass on one of four messages. If these choices are a priori equiprobable, the information transmitted is as much as you'll be able to transmit most of the time, given that you're a typical voter. However, it is possible to transmit still more information if not voting is an option. What's more, a vote for a candidate carries still more meaning if not voting is an option, so that spoiling your ballot should be a priori as probable as voting for any one of the candidates.
Since not voting carries clear voter intent, you have as much right to complain about the government as any voter.
Not really... (Score:2)
Write in Vote (Score:2)
Well, I do suggest that people spoil their ballots.
With these new-fangled voter machines, I'm not sure whether you still get the option to write in. Then, the best option (for would-be non-voters) is to turn up and not vote.
I do agree that people should make the effort to turn up, though.
Re: (Score:2)
Maybe if this were a country with 90%+ voter turnout, not voting would make a statement. However in a country with such low voter turnout, it does nothing but allow the current aristocracy to remain in power.
A vote for the aristrocracy helps how, exactly?
And in any case, I would need a lot of convincing that we have the "rule of the best".
If you've got two candidates, you should expect to vote two times out of three. You should only vote 90% of the time (on average, across the population) if there are nine, reasonably distinct candidates, otherwise you're not making the candidates work hard enough.
Politicians should have to work for your vote, or else you face a de-facto cartel. There's only one way of lettin
Exactly (Score:1)
I have the same idea.
In some country people are obliged to vote or have to pay fine. Voting ought to be a result of free choice.
Voting is just one form of democracy, there are many other way to realise democracy. Not voting is one of options.
Spoiling Your Ballot (Score:2)
I believe that even in countries where you have to turn up to vote, spoiling your ballot remains an option.
There is one advantage to facing a fine for not voting: it makes it possible to make a visibly principled stance. If I am fined and refuse to pay my fine, I will presumably face prison for it, if only for a day or so.
Re: (Score:2)
The problem with fines is (1) that you give the money to the bad guys and (2) the government could always just take the money from unpaid fines out of your income taxes, etc and/or punish you in other ways like refusing to renew drivers licenses etc. As for jail, I'm sure a lot of employers would just use that as an excuse to get rid of any progressive employees. And in a place like China you have to pay the cost of being housed in a jail (even the American pilots that were downed by Chinese aircraft had to
Civil Disobedience (Score:2)
I hear you. I didn't put a lot of thought into my suggestion to be honest; I was thinking of Thoreau's Civil Disobedience. [eserver.org]
Regressive individuals generally don't consider civil disobedience to be legitimate. For such people laws partly define morality, so that law-breakers are deemed untrustworthy regardless of context :-(
Some of these individuals are employers.
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
I agree entirely; that one can make a principled stance is the "silver lining" for a bad policy.
In any case, one can always turn up and spoil one's ballot paper, thus showing that you value the right to vote, but don't like any of the choices that are available.
Voting (Score:2)
is the opiate of the consumer.