The WashPo reported recently that President Obama endorsed the idea of
mandatory voting, that is, fining people who do not vote. He gave
Australia as an example. The Americans have about 60% turnout at
elections. Before Australia adopted compulsory voting
in 1924 it had turnout rates similar to those of
the U.S. After voting became mandatory, participation
immediately jumped from 59 percent in the election of 1922 to 91
percent in the election of 1925.
Is there any connection between high voter turnout and good government? Australia's neighbor New Zealand does not have compulsory voting and has a political system that functions just as well or better. Such paragons of civic virtue as Argentina, Egypt, Congo, and Lebanon have mandatory voting. By contrast, one of the few democracies with lower turnout rates than the United States is Switzerland which is often considered one of the best-governed nations in the world.
This could be a metaphor for Mr. Obama. The idea has no real foundation, intrudes into the individual decision process, has a scolding busybody element and would be impossible to create but gives him the appearance of a caring, optimistic big thinker.
The coffee house at its best.
Is there any connection between high voter turnout and good government? Australia's neighbor New Zealand does not have compulsory voting and has a political system that functions just as well or better. Such paragons of civic virtue as Argentina, Egypt, Congo, and Lebanon have mandatory voting. By contrast, one of the few democracies with lower turnout rates than the United States is Switzerland which is often considered one of the best-governed nations in the world.
This could be a metaphor for Mr. Obama. The idea has no real foundation, intrudes into the individual decision process, has a scolding busybody element and would be impossible to create but gives him the appearance of a caring, optimistic big thinker.
The coffee house at its best.
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