Monday, November 21, 2011

Democracy Is About Participation


Democracy Is Rule Of The Majority

Merriam Webster defines democracy:

a: government by the people; especially : rule of the majority
b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. 
One of the fundamental basics of a functioning democracy is that it is the governing by the people expressed by the majority. A 'simple' majority is 50% + 1, which while technically a majority is not an expression of overwhelming support by a group of people. While a simple majority may be an acceptable way of deciding where you are going for lunch, it is inadequate when deciding issues of major importance. 

Less Than A Majority Turnout Means An Illegitimate Election
In order for democracy to be truly functioning, since it is based on the rule of the majority, it should be required that at the very least a majority of the people actually participate by voting. You can debate on the ways and means of making that happen, but unless and until the majority have actually voted then democracy is simply not being engaged. Anything less than a turnout of the majority of eligible voters would render the results illegitimate.


Some may argue it is their democratic right to not vote if they choose. That at best, is a twisting of the idea of democracy to think we can all do as we please providing we are within the law. This thought may also be used to support excusing ourselves from taking the time to actually participate in the process and do what is arguably our civic DUTY by voting.

While under our current system it is true the only votes that count are the ones cast, but if this is to be a truly an expression of the will of the people we need to see at the very least a majority actually participate by voting.

What kind of a legitimate mandate does our Mayor and council have to make decisions that can affect generations for decades to come when the Mayor had 14% of the eligible vote and councillors have on average 12% of the eligible vote?

Poor Turnout = Voter Approval??
Flawed Logic
There is a commonly repeated notion that poor voter turnout is a sign that the citizens are content with the status quo. This logic may sound good and if repeated often enough might actually become accepted as being true. However, even the slightest examination reveals why this is simply an erroneous notion, which if true concludes that those not voting can't be all that bright.

The idea that because people are content with the status quo somehow means that they respond by not voting is illogical in the extreme. That would mean that during an election when there were candidates running that would threaten to oust the incumbents, the non-voters have decided the best way to maintain the status quo is to simply not vote. Even a two year old wouldn't swallow that logic.

Yet, that very logic is employed by the 'winning' side who arguably have won an illegitimate contest by virtue of the fact that the majority of the voters have not been represented in the outcome. The fact is, the outcome can very well be the same, but unless the majority of the citizens actually engage and do their civic duty we will never know what the majority actually wants.

Voter Apathy Or Uninspiring Candidates?

You could attribute poor voter turnout to the fact that the vast majority of people no longer feel that voting is a part of their civic duty and as someone who enjoys the many benefits our system has provided they absolutely need to participate. They could simply be too self centered and self absorbed or just plain too lazy to put out the effort it takes to make informed decisions on election day, and then actually inconveniencing themselves long enough to vote.

Another explanation for the dismal turnout could be the inability of candidates to inspire the average citizen and convince them, that a vote for them would make a difference. After all, if most candidates seem to be the same shade of beige, and make more or less the same promises, then you could make the argument that it REALLY doesn't matter who gets elected as nothing really distinguishes one candidate from another.

An example of how one candidate can inspire the electorate was demonstrated by newcomer George Anderson whose only promise was to lower the average age on council. George is articulate, well groomed, handles himself well and an overall likeable fellow. That said, there is nothing about him or his life's experience that would seem to qualify him for the job of city councilor. Yet in spite of bringing little to the position George commanded an impressive showing at the polls, as a first time candidate he racked up more support than incumbents, Greves, Johnstone and Pattje and nearly equalled Kipp, which is no simple task.

Perhaps there is no one single reason for the dismal direction our participation in democracy has taken over the decades. It seems to be increasing in speed these last two elections and at the present rate, could render elections a moot point at one time in the not too distant future.

So when we wake up one day and find we really no longer have a say in who represents us and start to see ourselves governed as other people in far off nations are by self appointed dictators, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

And that indeed is ALARMING!

allvoices

3 comments:

  1. Mr. Preacher,

    This is your forum but at the same time, the people who frequent this site are probably a bit more aware/active in their community than not.

    Sincerely,

    The Choir

    ReplyDelete
  2. Point taken. That is why I put a 'to continue' break on the post, so the choir need not keep reading the song sheet.

    But that does not apply to all. A few comments elsewhere would indicate that not all agree that anything needs fixing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous.... should have asked if you have any ideas as to why 3 out of 4 people don't vote??
    How long before a new council is selected by and AAP?

    ReplyDelete

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