Wed 30 Jan 2008
How much responsibility does the average citizen have to remain aware of an ongoing political process?
Does it depend on the process? On the location? On the scope — municipal, county, province, federal?
Hat tip to dbl.
Posted by Josh Millard6 answers so far!
I’d like to point out that dbl’s questions seem to bomb even when he’s not the one who asks them. Lesson learned: dbl is a ninny.
Well, we should all be taught the laws governing our representatives and their selection. That’s my baseline. If we were tested on government annually at penalty of loss of citizenship, I don’t know that I’d complain.
Personally, I’m all for a requirement to vote in federal elections. I know to some that means a loss of freedom, but I see it as a responsibility-payment for that freedom. Generally I fall far on the side of individual rights, but clearly the voter turnout is low enough in north america that the fragility of democracy is highlighted and occasionally it cracks a little (2000, 2004).
There is only one solution: ban him.
No one should be required to vote. The last thing we need is a government elected by people who resented casting the ballot to begin with.
People should pay better attention. A lot of it is theatre, precisely because people are paying so little attention.
How much responsibility does the average citizen have to remain aware of an ongoing political process?
All of it. Every single ounce of responsibility is on the average citizen and a bit of time should be taken each day to see what the hell the politicians are trying to pull on that particular day.