NationStates Jolt Archive

The Honourable delegate from The Most Serene Republic of Willagee and the WA Delegate of the Nations of Ruskiannagrad,

Wishes to propose to the Honorable members of the World Assembly that this body should pass a resolution making it compulsory for all member states to enforce compulsory voting for any members of their citizen body which have reached the legal age of adulthood in that state.

This resolution would ensure that all democratic governments are truly representative of the citizen body as a whole rather then just a minority group.

In terms of punishment for those citizens abstaining from voting, the Honourable delegate from The Most Serene Republic of Willagee believes that a fine would be all that is required for offenders.

Naturally should a citizen be unable to vote due to medical reason (i.e. in hospital for surgery etc.) this will be extenuating circumstances.

Furthermore The Most Serene Republic of Willagee also would considered it necessary that this resolution should include a cause compelling governments to ensure that all of its citizens no matter how remote should have access to voting facilities.

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would welcome any comments on this proposed resolution.

Well, your first problem is, you can't force democracy on nations -- or their citizens. I don't even know what category that's supposed to be filed under. It's not Furtherment of Democracy, 'cause it sure as hell ain't "increasing democratic freedoms" if you're forcing them.

Naturally should a citizen be unable to vote due to medical reason (i.e. in hospital for surgery etc.) this will be extenuating circumstances.

Furthermore The Most Serene Republic of Willagee also would considered it necessary that this resolution should include a cause compelling governments to ensure that all of its citizens no matter how remote should have access to voting facilities.

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would welcome any comments on this proposed resolution.

Only in these quoted sentences I see that democracy will be improved. I should say democracy is informing the citizens about what choices there are, than make it possible that people can vote, than let the people decide free if they want to vote or what they want to vote.

So possibilities there must come for people who now are not able to vote. Try to focus on that, in stead of making democracy a dictatorship in it process.

Regards

Well, your first problem is, you can't force democracy on nations -- or their citizens. I don't even know what category that's supposed to be filed under. It's not Furtherment of Democracy, 'cause it sure as hell ain't "increasing democratic freedoms" if you're forcing them.
'Moral Decency'?

We would vehemently oppose this deeply misguided and foolish attempt to tamper with the democratic structures of member states. This proposal is absurd.

yours e.t.c. ,

First of all, this conflicts with an issue. That's not agains the rules, but just as a note.

Second of all, this could be a good idea. If everyone took an interest in politics, studied it, and then voted, I'm sure the governments of the world would be a whole lot better.

The fact is, they don't. Many people don't know the first thing about politics, and while the solution to problem X may be obvious to them the fact is that there is no obvious perfect solution, and running a nation is a lot harder than one might think.

It's bad enough people vote now on basis of the candidate being old, ugly, or something similar, but if voting was made compulsory this rate would go up massively. People who do not know politics shouldn't meddle with it, and while of course they're allowed to, in the name of democracy, forcing them to do so would be stupid.

And on another note, some people wish to boycott elections, if they don't like any of the candidates, or for simple contempt of their goverment. It would impede on their freedom to force them to vote.

Furthermore, they should just plain not have to vote if they don't want to. This is a free world, or at least we try to keep it that way. And, not all members of the World Assembly are democratic. You'd be forcing your system of government on them. This violates Section 1, Article 1 of ''Rights and Duties of the WA States'' which specifically states that nations have the right to choose their own form of government, and as such this proposal contradicts earlier legislation.

The only part of this resolution we support is the clause stating all persons should have acess to voting facilities. But then again, we do that already.

-High Council Member M. Stuart
11th of August, 13:03

The ambassador sat down again after his lecture in which he'd had trouble to refrain from shouting. He smiled, content with himself, and gave his bodyguard a high-five under the table.

Not a good idea to force people to vote, however, you can write a resolution that can ensure all elections in Member nations are fair.

The very basis of the democratic process is that the voters have a choice in whom they elect to heads of state. This includes the choice to reject all running candidates-or in other words, to not vote at all. Thus compulsory voting is a contradiction unto itself. We agree with the Honourable Delegate's sentiment that governments should make voting accessible to all citizens, however. In fact, that could serve as the basis for a different proposal, one Travda would be willing to support.

Vokhuz Kon
Travda WA Chief Delegate

'Moral Decency'?Not really, as that deals with civil rights, not political ones.

In all honesty, the closest fit for this thing would be Political Stability.

I dont think this is fair, this is just as if you were making sure they DID NOT vote. I think this has some problems and my country does not hold regular elections or have many voting times.

It is the opinion and mission of The Most Serene Republic of Willagee to ensure the spread of democracy through all avenues.

Further to the notion that the average person is not intelligent enough to partcipate in and fully comprehend the mechanations of political life is not valid criticism. It does not matter in the opinon of The Most Serene Republic of Willagee whether you have the education or not, we hold that it is both your inalienable right and also your duty to partcipate in politics, whether of the Representative or Direct type (The Most Serene Republic of Willagee has the latter). The ethos of the Most Serene Republic of Willagee is that a person who takes no interest in and does partcipate in politics is not simply a harmless person but rather a useless one.

The notion of abstaining from voting to make a political point is as stupid as it is pointless. The only way in which political change can be made in a representative democracy is to ensure that those representatives elected are sympathetic to your cause, abstaining from voting does nothing to further your aims.

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would like to make one last point before handing the floor to other delegates. Every single citizen of the Most Serene Republic of Willagee would sooner die at the hands of a democracy then at the instigation of the most benevolent of dictatorships!

Long live Radical Democracy!

Do you have a proposal? Because if not, there's no room for soapboxes here. It'd be nice to see a draft to comment on.

It is the opinion and mission of The Most Serene Republic of Willagee to ensure the spread of democracy through all avenues.

Further to the notion that the average person is not intelligent enough to partcipate in and fully comprehend the mechanations of political life is not valid criticism. It does not matter in the opinon of The Most Serene Republic of Willagee whether you have the education or not, we hold that it is both your inalienable right and also your duty to partcipate in politics, whether of the Representative or Direct type (The Most Serene Republic of Willagee has the latter). The ethos of the Most Serene Republic of Willagee is that a person who takes no interest in and does partcipate in politics is not simply a harmless person but rather a useless one.

The notion of abstaining from voting to make a political point is as stupid as it is pointless. The only way in which political change can be made in a representative democracy is to ensure that those representatives elected are sympathetic to your cause, abstaining from voting does nothing to further your aims.

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would like to make one last point before handing the floor to other delegates. Every single citizen of the Most Serene Republic of Willagee would sooner die at the hands of a democracy then at the instigation of the most benevolent of dictatorships!

Long live Radical Democracy!


What you describe is not democracy of any recognisable kind, who are governments (the servants of their people in a democracy) to decide who is a usefull or useless citizen ? What you describe is Tyranny of an unorthodox kind but Tyranny nonetheless.

As other of our respected colleagues have said this idea would be better presented in the form of a first draft resolution than a couple of loose polemical statements. We will of course oppose this dangerous idea in any form. But in the spirit of democracy we wish you luck with it anyway.

yours e.t.c. ,

The notion of abstaining from voting to make a political point is as stupid as it is pointless. The only way in which political change can be made in a representative democracy is to ensure that those representatives elected are sympathetic to your cause, abstaining from voting does nothing to further your aims.

It seems like logical that abstaining from voting is pointless, but remember that in some countries, known to be a democracy, when many people started to abstain, it was the signal for the majority that a change was necessary.

And there are many, maybe far more important ways, maybe not fair ways, to get a political changes. I will give some ways, but there are far more ways. Bribe, strike, revolt, plot, lobby, political awareness, educate, public relations...

I favour democracy, I went always to the ballot box, I was some times on the list of a political party, I am member of a political party in my nation, but I know for real democracy only voting is a waste. I think in many nations the politicians are in a circus to get the most nice one elected. Only when the people is well informed there can be a real democracy.

Regards

this of resolution is a studied insult to all those nations who believe in a strong decisive government who's populace are not burdened down with silly outdated notions such as "democracy" and "voting", and as such we of axmanland vote NO.

Further to the notion that the average person is not intelligent enough to partcipate in and fully comprehend the mechanations of political life is not valid criticism. It does not matter in the opinon of The Most Serene Republic of Willagee whether you have the education or not, we hold that it is both your inalienable right and also your duty to partcipate in politics, whether of the Representative or Direct type (The Most Serene Republic of Willagee has the latter). The ethos of the Most Serene Republic of Willagee is that a person who takes no interest in and does partcipate in politics is not simply a harmless person but rather a useless one.

The notion of abstaining from voting to make a political point is as stupid as it is pointless. The only way in which political change can be made in a representative democracy is to ensure that those representatives elected are sympathetic to your cause, abstaining from voting does nothing to further your aims.


Calling something ''non-valid criticism'' without explaining why is not valid criticism, because there are pro's and cons to everything.

Well, Desh-Shrik believes it is your right not to participate in politics if you do not wish to do so. This is balanced by the fact that if you don't attempt to change politics, you can hardly complain about it.

A person who doesn't know what he is voting for can in fact be harmful. Someone who does not participate in politics is only useless to the person who wishes to get votes, not to the one who wishes the approval of the people.

Abstaining to make a political point is not at all ''stupid and pointless''. If one does not wish to support any of the candidates then he should abstain. If one wishes to make a point to a government which rigs elections he should abstain. It could very well further one's aims.

-High Council Member M. Stuart
12th of August, 14:09

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would like to acknowledge all member states statements however The Most Serene Republic of Willagee's concept of freedom is different to the honorable member states. You view freedom in a 'negative', as the abscence of governmental interference, whereas The Most Serene Republic of Willagee views it in a 'positive' way, where true freedom is not merely the absence of governmental interference but also the implementation of socially progressive policies.

Further to the Honourable delegate for Dish-Shrik statement as to the rigging of elections, while the Most Serene Republic of Willagee cannot comment on the fairness of Dish-Shrik's government it can indeed assure the member states that its government is fairly elected.

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would also like to state that it also believes along with most member states here that an educated, and informed citizen makes a better voter however The Most Serene Republic of Willagee does not believe that simply because you have not been properly educated makes your opinion any less valid then The Most Serene Republic of Willagee's Consul (head-of-state).

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would like to acknowledge and thank all member states for partcipating in this debate over a prospective resolution and will soon be announcing a revised resolution, make it compulsory for governments to provide fair and decent access to places of voting as this seems more acceptable to the honorable member states.



Do not fear though radical democracy will be back!

I must respectfully disagree.

Further to the Honourable delegate for Dish-Shrik statement as to the rigging of elections, while the Most Serene Republic of Willagee cannot comment on the fairness of Dish-Shrik's government it can indeed assure the member states that its government is fairly elected.

The Most Serene Republic of Willagee would also like to state that it also believes along with most member states here that an educated, and informed citizen makes a better voter however The Most Serene Republic of Willagee does not believe that simply because you have not been properly educated makes your opinion any less valid then The Most Serene Republic of Willagee's Consul (head-of-state).]


Touché, ambassador, well played. Doubting our government's credibility, classic.

Michael slowly and mockingly claps.

I would like to inform you that our secret dossier on you notes that you are adopted. Oh yes, it says this. Very formal, very official.

But on the matter of votes being less valid than others, it is not about education, but rather on one's knowledge of politics. How can you expect a person to make a proper vote if he does not know the policies and standpoints of all the candidates?

If someone doesn't know what they're voting for, it becomes a point-and-choose affair, which defeats the entire purpose of campaigning, and setting policies that will make the people happy. Wether one has taken advanced calculus or not doesn't matter, and I'm sorry if I led you to believe I claimed otherwise.

-High Council Member M. Stuart
14th of August, 11:55

I agree with the other's on this one you can't just force people to vote that would not be any better than a dictatorship

Cervantes Del Leon
Psiatrias WA Representative