Should Democracy Be Compulsory?

Should Democracy Be Compulsory is the first issue created by NationStates designer Max Barry. The issue actually is based on Australia's compulsory voting law.

Issue

In response to a slow news week, certain highbrow newspapers have stirred up the debate over voluntary vs compulsory voting.

Options

1. "Compulsory voting makes about as much as sense as having the death penalty for attempted suicide," says civil rights activist @@RANDOMNAME@@. "You can't force people to be free! You can only give them the choice. Besides, if all those derelicts who can't be bothered to get off their ass once every few years voted, who would they elect? I shudder to think."
2. "It's not contradictory at all," argues political commentator @@RANDOMNAME@@. "The fact is, if not everyone votes, the outcome isn't truly representative. Some groups--like elderly gun nuts--vote more often than others. That's why always we always end up with such terrible politicians."
3. "This raises an interesting issue," says @@RANDOMNAME@@, your brother. "And that is: why do we need elections, anyway? Seems to me it would be much simpler if you just decided what was right, and did it. Wouldn't that save everyone a lot of time?"

Domestic Impact

Option 1

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

voting is voluntary

This option increases political freedom and public apathy.

Option 2

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

voting is compulsory

This option slightly increases size of government, decreases political freedom and apathy

Option 3

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

elections have been outlawed

It is believed that this option greatly decreases political freedoms to almost zero.

Additional materials

• Democracy Going To The Dogs?
• List of Issues
• NationStates Issues Thread on jolt forums discussing daily issues