Nathan Schlueter, in his article "Moral Truth and the Ethics of Voting: How Should I Vote?" presents the most persuasive argument on the ethics of voting. Unlike other articles that focus on both candidates, Schlueter specifically targets the moral aspects of voting. He addresses common assumptions people have when contemplating their duty to vote. Schlueter strongly advocates that citizens should “vote for the candidate that is most likely to promote good.” A prevalent notion is that when neither candidate is appealing, one should abstain from voting altogether, questioning the impact of a single vote. This aligns with the desire to preserve one’s moral compass by avoiding voting, thereby preventing association with any unfavorable actions …show more content…
As a nation, we have become fixated on the concept of morals, often using it as a justification for our actions or lack thereof. Schlueter’s argument provides a thought-provoking perspective on this issue. The age-old question is whether citizens have a moral obligation to vote or not. I believe that we do. Years ago, our forefathers and many people since then have fought for the right to vote. Why should we let that go unnoticed? There is also the common belief that one minuscule vote will not change anything, yet these votes add up to a shocking amount. If we do not vote, we are allowing certain injustices to pass. Nobody should be a “free-riding citizen” who casts their opinion when something does not go their way. Other countries such as Denmark have a remarkable voter turnout due to their citizens understanding the rights they have. When we vote, we speak our wishes and opinions in hopes that our government listens. If someone does not vote, how will they be heard? I believe that voting should be guided by one's conscience, as opposed to the expected
...adults compared to older adults were less likely to respond that voting was extremely important for good citizenship (133). He concludes that it is too late for the generation of young adults that do not feel voting is an important civic responsibility, however, that it is not too late to convince them that politics matter by showing them that they are giving their opportunity to make important decisions that may impact their lives to others who have different ideas. One may agree with Wattenberg’s idea that habits follow people throughout their lives instead of changing as they cycle in life. His personal accounts are an impactful way to illustrate the importance of building a sense of duty at a young age and carrying that responsibility throughout one’s life.
live in a democracy that expects you to participate, to hold an opinion and vote...but at the
This is primarily why Americans elect representatives. Still, the American voting system is not without its imperfections. For example, in America, voting is not treated as a skill, it is treated as a moral obligation. Because of this, ill informed, uneducated, irrational or otherwise uninterested people are encouraged to involve themselves politically. 2.
Should we have the freedom to chose weather we vote or not? Currently the United States allows citizens not to vote, but some believe that this makes our politics undemocratic. Some think forcing people to vote is against the freedoms we have today. In the following essay, I will give the views of Arend Lijphart and Austin Ranney about these topics.
Americans and Britons had a stronger sense of civic duty and and civic competence, believed they could “do something’ about an unjust law, and that citizens should be active in one’s community. While Americans lagged behind Austria, the Netherlands, West Germany, and the United Kingdom in voter participation, they seemed to be much more involved in other areas such as campaigning, being active in the local community, and contacting government official. But in “Bowling Alone,” Robert Putnam states that not only has voter turnout declined, but so has citizen participation in politics and government. This is because they are more self-reliant now. People do not vote because they do not care. They believe the democratic values this nation was built upon do not exist
“Illiterate citizens seldom vote. Those who do are forced to cast a vote of questionable worth. They cannot make informed decisions based on serious print information. More frequently, they vote for a face, a smile, or a style, not for a mind or character or body of beliefs. Sometimes the can be alerted to their interests by aggressive voter education
The Chartist movement (a working class political movement) in 1840 believed “People had no one else but themselves to blame for the actions of their politicians” (Nash). What Mr. Nash and the chartist movement believe couldn’t be more on the spot. This country has gotten to the point where people find it hard to walk down their street to the elementary school where the voting polls are, and take a few minutes to cast a vote. A vote that millions of people around the world wish they were able to have them selves. With all the political suffrage that goes on through the world and people forced to love a leader, these no-shows should be thankful to live in a democracy. A place where elections aren’t rigged and the people are truly heard. This is why the topic of voting turnout needs to be raised. Also it’s very annoying to hear people complaining about our President when they did not even vote. It’s a very bad habit to not vote, and it needs to change with the younger citizens of this country. Helping younger people see the importance of voting needs to start with technological and educational ideas while expanding all the way to social event ideas. Only then will America’s ability to find answers to voting turnout increase.
One reason why Americans should not be required to vote is sometimes people can be irresponsible. Evidence supporting this reason is in, (“Must You
In his opinion post, ‘Lions to the Ballot Box’ Charles M Blow has highlighted the various issues related with the abstinence of American voters. The opinion pieces in New York Times generally reflect scholars’ opinions of various issues of national and international importance and often raise very important issues. Most often, these opinion pieces are directed at raising the awareness among readers regarding various issues and generate attention as well as response to these issues. Blow’s article is in fact a brilliant piece of opinion in which he explores how and why a large part of American population abstains from casting the ballot. Blow mainly claims that the American voters are like lions, who have forgotten to roar. They have the power but have forgotten to exercise it. Usually, opinion pieces contain very deep thoughts on issues and also engage the audience or the readers by calling for urgent action. Seen in this perspective, Blow’s article is truly representative of the opinion articles in which authors engage their audiences with fiery ideas encouraging them to take action. (Blow, 2014)
In fact, according to Elections Canada, during the 2011 federal elections, only 61.1% of Canadians exerted their duty as citizen. Hence, some think compulsory voting can remediate the situation. However, mandatory voting is what really could hurt democracy. By forcing every eligible voter to go to the polls, misinformed voters will randomly cast their ballot. Sceptics may believe that by fining individuals who refuse to go to the polls, there will be less ignorant voters. For example, in Australia, where voting is compulsory, Australians who do not cast their ballots have to “pay a 20$ penalty” (Australian Electoral Commission). However, by financially penalising citizens who do not exert their duty, many will be so dissatisfied by the incumbent government that they will simply vote for a party that would not make voting an obligation. These people would ignore the party’s other policies instead of being informed on all the challenges that the country faces and how each party plans on solving them. Nonetheless, the elections are an occasion to elect a leader whose ideologies on many aspects, from immigration to the environment, matches the voter’s most. As a responsible voter, one has to know the policies of each party and has to try to obtain enough “social-scientific knowledge to [assess] these positions” (Brennan 11), which takes a lot of time. Therefore, compulsory voting would make voters more informed, but only on a narrow aspect while ignoring the other issues that should be taken into consideration when choosing the party they will vote for. All in all, mandatory voting would hurt democracy despite the higher participation
Despite the objective desire that your vote won't turn a decision, you may, in the same way as other of us, vote at any rate, and for different reasons. A few people are glad for the exertion they put into being educated and included. Others vote out of a feeling of obligation or because of their faith in the estimation of vote based
In America, political candidates go against one another in a process known as an election in which citizens vote for the next person who "best" fits the position. In addition, there are various amounts of debates on whether a citizen should be compelled to vote. Although some argue if citizens should be required by law to vote, there are exceeding an amount of disadvantages.
There has been a long-established controversy over the duty of a citizen in a democracy, on which the Athenian philosopher, Socrates, and the American writer, Henry David Thoreau, had their own thoughts. Both philosophers had varying views on numerous subjects relating to government and conscience. Should the citizen obey all laws, even unjust ones? Or, should they rebel for the sake of doing what is right? Democracy is ruled by the people, for the people. In both Socrates’ time, and Thoreau’s, the question remains on whether this was, in practice, true. The two iconic philosophers’ opinions regarding the duty of the citizen in a democracy, the role of conscience, and the importance of nonviolent resistance, still influence people to this day. Their views augment the understanding people have of the current democracy, how consciences deal with right and wrong, and roles as citizens questioning every issue. Philosophy is often ingrained in the history, politics, and the environment
Have you ever been persuaded into voting? Well, you should have your own say on where your opinion goes. Voting is a right that every citizen in America over the age of 18 can do. Many people have become aware of the fact that the number of voters had reached its all time low. But as the newest voting season comes closer, we should still have a voice and the freedom to decide what we do. Which is, take a step against making America a compulsory voting country, because it proves unnecessary and there are other alternatives than mandatory voting.
The action of voting is such important role in how our country is going to be developed, especially effects on the economy, foreign relationships, society, etc. People are becoming much involved in politics, which is extraordinary because it means that the people are understanding how important their vote is and how it brings change to the issues that truly bother them. Many citizens don’t vote because they are either lazy or too busy, they either have jobs, classes, families, or other responsibilities take care of, but voting is a responsibility that should be attended. Voting could be the thing to prevent awful political leader’s to be put in office who are not focusing on what’s truly important, which is the people, which means that