NationStates Jolt Archive

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!

Rebellion.

Everyone spontaneously combusts.

Simple: the long expected robot uprising followed by the dictatorship of the Machine Collective.

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!

First of all, how does this politician differ from the one's we have now? Second of all, if everyone refused to vote, the politician with the most powerful connections would effect a coup d'etat and take power. After which we would have a situation much like the one in late Imperial Rome or in France during the Terror.

To be honest I don't think we are all that far off it anyway!
Its fairly close to it in the UK at the moment, the government isn't doing anything to benefit the people and has even put us in danger going into Iraq ect.
Also there are less and less people that want to vote due to the relatively small level of choice (as well as other issues particularly around a not very politicised population and/or just not wanting to get off their backsides to go to the voting station)

If it did get to the point you are envisioning, I'm not sure that there would be rebellion as Conservative Morality says. It would depend on whether literally EVERYONE consciously decided not to vote in protest (which is unlikely)it would probably lead to a slightly better out come as the government would have to be seen to be addressing an issue and would thus change some what to fall in line with the will of the people) but if for example 80% or even 70% of the population just didn't vote then 1) we would have a government that had basically no real democratic attributes or 2)we would leave the way open to a dictatorship of some kind taking over, or 3)a reversion back to a monarchical system, something that would be all together more difficult to get out of.

so it would be a bit like the middle ages only with democratic elections...sucks to be a catholic in England again I guess :p

the people won't do anything because thats humanity and Somalia will become the bastion of civilization

So how exactly does this change happen? Because i can't see it happening at all. Unless the entire population of the country is high on drugs or dead. both?

the whole population wouldnt not vote because the evil politicians and their henchmen would certainly vote. so whoever had the biggest machine would win.

The world applauds the sudden honesty of most politicians.

To be honest I don't think we are all that far off it anyway!
Its fairly close to it in the UK at the moment, the government isn't doing anything to benefit the people and has even put us in danger going into Iraq ect.
Also there are less and less people that want to vote due to the relatively small level of choice (as well as other issues particularly around a not very politicised population and/or just not wanting to get off their backsides to go to the voting station)

If it did get to the point you are envisioning, I'm not sure that there would be rebellion as Conservative Morality says. It would depend on whether literally EVERYONE consciously decided not to vote in protest (which is unlikely)it would probably lead to a slightly better out come as the government would have to be seen to be addressing an issue and would thus change some what to fall in line with the will of the people) but if for example 80% or even 70% of the population just didn't vote then 1) we would have a government that had basically no real democratic attributes or 2)we would leave the way open to a dictatorship of some kind taking over, or 3)a reversion back to a monarchical system, something that would be all together more difficult to get out of.
You underestimate the power of this armed and fully operational pie catapult. Fire at will commander! *looks at LG*

You underestimate the power of this armed and fully operational pie catapult. Fire at will commander! *looks at LG*

Misunderestimate, surely.

The politicians would vote and win. Refusing to vote won't achieve anything.

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!

It wouldn't happen.

Special interest voters would still vote.

What would be interesting, would be seeing how much it changed. Are 10% of our regular voters single-issue (or maybe not single, but certainly specific issue) voters? Or 90%?

Misunderestimate, surely.

*Catapult-pies Grave_n_Idle*

*Catapult-pies Grave_n_Idle*

Yay! Pie!

Yay! Pie!

Except it's cowpie.

Except it's cowpie.

I wonder if anyone else on NS remembers Desperate Dan...

I wonder if anyone else on NS remembers Desperate Dan...

Who is Desperate Dan?

I wonder if anyone else on NS remembers Desperate Dan...

I had a load of The Dandy comics when I was a young'un. Good times.



Ye gods, apparently it's Dandy Xtreme now.

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!

for one thing, the Government won't change. if the general populace won't vote, then those in power and their cronies would. thus people will remain in power.

once this trend is realized, then other things can appear on the ballot without the general populace interfering.

Unlimited terms for President?
Full time Un warranted wiretaps?
changes in the constitution?

all will be voted upon by whomever votes.

Including steps to remove or limit SCotUS's powers.

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!

What do you mean suppose? :eek:

:confused: ??? hypothetical ??? :confused:

Who is Desperate Dan?

Desperate Dan was a cowboy that ate cowpies.

Literally, cow-pies. Made of cow. Horns and tails sticking out from under the crust.

They always looked kinda yummy, actually.

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!
The parties involved would probably just come to an agreement to divvy up power.

LOL@ yummy cow pies

The Electoral College would pick someone anyway...

and, unfortunately, i dont think people would rebel, theyd rather watch reality show number five...

Its just like Ancient Rome...

The Electoral College would pick someone anyway...

and, unfortunately, i dont think people would rebel, theyd rather watch reality show number five...

Its just like Ancient Rome...

Then we're not far from benign dictatorship, are we?

(At least, hopefully benign)

Then we're not far from benign dictatorship, are we?

(At least, hopefully benign)

Idk...im afraid we may be stuck with a Nero :(

Idk...im afraid we may be stuck with a Nero :(

That might not be all bad.

(Where I come from, 'nero' is one of two phrases (the other is romo) to describe those who listen to New Romantics music - bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. It must be 'back-to-my-roots-day today, or something).

It could be worse, it could be Caligula.

Its just like things always are...
Fixed.

Fixed.

Probly true, lol...:rolleyes:

mickey mouse would win because he is the most popular write in candidate. Or the Electoral College would do its job.

mickey mouse would win because he is the most popular write in candidate. Or the Electoral College would do its job.

I think the Master Chief should win...who better than the Demon to defeat our enemies?

You people are very strange.

;)

Suppose in the not too distant future every politician is a blatantly crazy power grabbing asshole who makes it clear that he/she doesn't give a damn about the people and their welfare, but only of his/her party's agenda. And to further expound lets say that it's obvious that said politicians are willing to serve their agenda even if it means doing something detrimental for the peoples' welfare. But thats not all, if this occurs I doubt anyone would want to vote. So here's the big question, what would happen in a democratic society/nation if EVERYONE refused to vote. What then?

Discuss!

What do you mean "Not too distant future"? That's today give or take.