I’m hoping this doesn’t start a fight, I’m just curious what the political orientation is of this community. I grew up in a liberal (in the American sense) family, and I identify now as a socialist, though a lot of the liberalism I grew up in has stuck with me, like interest in LGBTQ and women’s rights, environmentalism, etc. Wondering where people here land?
Australia has compulsory voting?
Yeah If you forget to vote in a election you’re fined around $20. So I guess it counts as compulsory voting.
Sounds horrible
Yeah if you don’t participate in our democracy you might not be able to afford half a pack of ciggies
Its not really a democracy if you have to vote
How do you define democracy then
In a representative democracy, what’s the point in making everyone vote in it?
This statement confuses me
Why?
I don’t know about Australia, but in the countries i have heard about with compulsory voting, it’s totally legal to vote blank, i.e. not actually vote for anyone. You just have to go to the polling station and put your blank ballot in the box.
So you’re (if i’m not mistaken) not forced to vote for a party you don’t agree with.
Fair enough but we get to accomplish that here by just staying home.