nerv14
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2009
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- Independent
Limiting franchise is something I've thought about at times, beginning when I read Heinlein's Starship Troopers. The novels he referred to as his "juveniles" often had deeper themes than 99% of what is written for mature adults. :mrgreen:
Given how ignorantly and selfishly many people exercise their franchise, I'm not sure it would be the worst thing to limit it a bit.
The key component to me would be that franchise had to be earned, and that the requirements were such that any person who was willing to make some sacrifices and put forth the effort had the opportunity to earn franchise.
This would prevent it from creating a ruling class and a ruled class.
The Heinlein model of having to do two years of "national service" to obtain franchise was not a bad one. In the novel, he noted that anyone who insisted on doing national service was entitled to being accepted, that "if you were blind and in a wheelchair, if you insisted on doing your two years they'd find something you could do, even if it was counting the hairs on a caterpillar by touch." :mrgreen:
Well I do like that idea more then some sort of applitude test at least...
I am just worrisome against even a small mass limiting of voter rights because of what it can grow into.
This also has problems with it basically being a mandatory form of draft to supply voting rights, which does mean that it isn't mandatory though. But since I consider voting is a right, there shouldn't be any artificial barrier for an adult to obtain it.
Also, this system odviously gives prefference to richer individuals, because I am assuming that the 2 years of work will have low wages, or it simply provides for living expences while you are working.
If some rich person doesn't need the money while they work for 2 years to go to college later, then your system isn't fair to people with a lower income. I am sure a system would develope when only the more wealthy can vote, even if there is as motivated and self sacrificing poor.