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Is compulsory voting illiberal? If so, why? If not, why not?
This essay argues that enforcing compulsory voting (CV) is illiberal according to Rawlsian political liberalism. To begin with, it gives Rawls’ account of the terms ‘liberal’ and ‘illiberal’. It explains why a liberal state must provide and protect citizens’ basic liberties, including their right to vote. It then argues that enforcing CV constitutes a restriction on citizens’ liberty. It argues that this in itself does not make CV illiberal, since it may be that such a restriction can be reasonably justified if it leads to an overall increase in citizens’ liberty. However, this essay ultimately concludes that enforcing CV does not lead to this, and therefore it is …show more content…
This means that citizens may have very different moral, political and religious views, but they are nevertheless able to respect and tolerate one another, and they all affirm the democratic governance of their state.
An ideally liberal state would protect citizens’ basic rights and liberties, and would govern with principles of justice which specify the fair terms of social cooperation between free and equal citizens . A state is liberal insofar as it is successful in these regards, if a state unreasonably restricts the basic rights and liberties of citizens so that the values of liberty and equality may not be expressed, then it is considered illiberal. What can be said to constitute reasonable or unreasonable restrictions on liberty will shortly be discussed.
The Importance of the Basic Liberties and the Right to …show more content…
Personal liberties include freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, as well as property rights, whilst political liberties include freedom of political speech, freedom of association, the right to hold public office, and the right to vote .
In ‘Political Liberalism’, Rawls argues that the same basic liberties are deeply valued by people of different moral, political and religious backgrounds. He claims that they are an important part of the reason why an agreement can be reached on which forms of state governance should be supported. The right to vote is an essential political liberty since it is an important way in which citizens are able to have a say in the democratic governance of their state. Both personal and political liberties are claimed to be essential for empowering citizens to participate in the state’s political system and for developing the capacities that enable them to be cooperating members of society. Liberal states therefore have an obligation to provide and protect these
Is compulsory voting illiberal? If so, why? If not, why not?
This essay argues that enforcing compulsory voting (CV) is illiberal according to Rawlsian political liberalism. To begin with, it gives Rawls’ account of the terms ‘liberal’ and ‘illiberal’. It explains why a liberal state must provide and protect citizens’ basic liberties, including their right to vote. It then argues that enforcing CV constitutes a restriction on citizens’ liberty. It argues that this in itself does not make CV illiberal, since it may be that such a restriction can be reasonably justified if it leads to an overall increase in citizens’ liberty. However, this essay ultimately concludes that enforcing CV does not lead to this, and therefore it is …show more content…
This means that citizens may have very different moral, political and religious views, but they are nevertheless able to respect and tolerate one another, and they all affirm the democratic governance of their state.
An ideally liberal state would protect citizens’ basic rights and liberties, and would govern with principles of justice which specify the fair terms of social cooperation between free and equal citizens . A state is liberal insofar as it is successful in these regards, if a state unreasonably restricts the basic rights and liberties of citizens so that the values of liberty and equality may not be expressed, then it is considered illiberal. What can be said to constitute reasonable or unreasonable restrictions on liberty will shortly be discussed.
The Importance of the Basic Liberties and the Right to …show more content…
Personal liberties include freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, as well as property rights, whilst political liberties include freedom of political speech, freedom of association, the right to hold public office, and the right to vote .
In ‘Political Liberalism’, Rawls argues that the same basic liberties are deeply valued by people of different moral, political and religious backgrounds. He claims that they are an important part of the reason why an agreement can be reached on which forms of state governance should be supported. The right to vote is an essential political liberty since it is an important way in which citizens are able to have a say in the democratic governance of their state. Both personal and political liberties are claimed to be essential for empowering citizens to participate in the state’s political system and for developing the capacities that enable them to be cooperating members of society. Liberal states therefore have an obligation to provide and protect these