NationStates Jolt Archive

[validity] voting is legal

[description]A group of self-proclaimed “superior people” has petitioned you to change the voting system by only allowing “superior people” to vote. This means, of course, passing an intelligence test when registering to vote.

[option] “I’m sick of today’s politics!” shouts self-proclaimed superior person @@RANDOMNAME@@. “Today’s politics is all about who has more advertising! If we had an intelligence test for voters, then politicians might actually have to have a real platform and real ideas! The way I see it, an upper-class democracy is better than a corrupt democracy.”
[effect] citizens must have an IQ of at least 160 to vote
[stats] social inequality increases, political rights decrease

[option] Below a stage of “superior people” a large crowd has gathered demanding universal suffrage. Their scruffy-looking leader, @@RANDOMNAME@@, voiced the crowd’s opinion from on top of a car. “I might not know who’s running, but I’M STILL GONNA VOTE! THEY WON’T STRIP ME OF MY RIGHTS!”
[effect] politicians have nicknamed the national elections “the lottery”
[stats] corruption goes up, political rights go up

[option] “Look, they don’t need to know this, but I agree with the superior people,” whispers @@RANDOMNAME@@, your Finance Minister. “Except that it’s not about intelligence, it’s about whether or not you belong to our party. That way, we can’t lose.”
[effect] only members of certain political parties are allowed to vote
[stats] political rights decrease

well-there's my third issue-any reccomendations?

I was thinking about adding a fouth option-minimum wealth needed to vote. A lot of Western nations had it until as recently as 100 years ago. But then I got to thinking, is there a good argument for that, and is it so different from option 1? I don't think so.

that sounds pretty good.
I say go for it! :)

[option] “I’m sick of today’s politics!” shouts self-proclaimed superior person @@RANDOMNAME@@. “Today’s politics is all about who has more advertising! If we had an intelligence test for voters, then politicians might actually have to have a real platform and real ideas! The way I see it, an upper-class democracy is better than a corrupt democracy.”
[effect] citizens must have an IQ of at least 160 to vote
[stats] social inequality increases, political rights decrease
Shouldn't admistrtive and potical courption go down? I assuming that polticans must also have an I.Q. of 160 to run so they should actually be smart enough to run a country.
(we this proplse in real life)

Thanks for the feedback.:)

I was thinking that if only the intelligent (and presumably rich) voted, then all legislation would benefit them and not the lower classes. Which would, in a sense, actually increase corruption.

Does anyone else have any ideas?:confused:

Not to be a stick in the mud but there is already an issue concerning intelligence and voting...

I think there is too but I've scanned the list and can't see it.

I believe it's the one with the 'village idiot' talking.

I just got it.

Democracy Going To The Dogs?

The Issue
After a recent election instated a small dog as member of parliament, the fringe group "Brains for Ballots" has demanded for the government to tighten voting restrictions.

The Debate
"The ignorant have taken over Emperor Matthuis," yells Falala Hanover, from atop a soap box podium. "It is time that the intelligent retake the polls! Mr. 'Scruffy' is a disgrace to democracy and should be taken out of office instantly! I propose we issue mandatory I.Q. tests for every voting citizen and if they are found to have below average reasoning ability - namely lacking the foresight to see that electing an inanimate object to office will cause disaster - then they shall be excused from the responsibility of voting."
[Accept]


"Umm... huh?" inquires village idiot, Fleur Jong-Il. "I voted? When? Oh, yeah. Please don't make me not vote. The ballots are really tasty, and where else would I get my fibre? Everyone should have the right to vote, no matter what their favourite greenhouse is! Then we can all get the government to do what we want! First thing I think we should do is, uh, ban fruit? I hate fruit."
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government has yet to formalize a position on this issue.

If you wish, you may simply dismiss this issue.

Issue by: Libertarian haven
Editor: Sirocco

Not to be a stick in the mud but there is already an issue concerning intelligence and voting...

really? I've never seen it, either in the Spoiler list or in my daily issues. But since its just been posted, I guess that it exists.

well, thanks anyways