Ugh. "Utils" and now "problem of voter apathy"? I don't like the way this thread is heading...
Gil Guillory, P.E. Principal Engineer KBR Tower, KT-3131B email [EMAIL PROTECTED] ph. 713-753-8797 fax 713-753-6266 > -----Original Message----- > From: ArmChair List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Hamish > Barney > Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 11:56 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: lotteries and elections > > In Australia voting is actually compulsory. Failure to vote in an > election can result in a fine. Voting then becomes very rational. I > think in many ways this is a good way of getting around the problem of > voter apathy and the otherwise apparent irrationality of voting. > > Hamish > > Michael Giesbrecht wrote: > > >>From: ArmChair List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of > > > > Wei > > > >>Dai > > > > [snip] > > > >>Why have economists latched onto the idea of "expressive voting", when > > > > a > > > >>much simpler explanation is that most apparently irrational voting > > > > really > > > >>is irrational? Of course "expressive voting" preserves the assumption > > > > of > > > >>rationality, but there is still the problem of participation in > > > > lotteries > > > >>with negative expected payoffs. Is that just to be ignored, or will > >>someone come up with a theory of "expressive lottery ticket purchase"? > > > > > > By far, the most common response I get when I mention that one's > > individual vote does not effect the outcome of an election, is > > astonished indignation. I am assured that regardless of the (lack of) > > effect of my individual vote, voting is an obligation born out of the > > principle of reciprocity. We, as individuals, should vote, because if > > everybody didn't vote there would be no electoral process. Voting is > > thus one of many necessary things we should do in order to be a > > respectable member of the community. > > > > By the way, do not attempt to discuss this subject at a cocktail party > > with drunken public elementary school teachers. Before you know it, > > you'll be personally responsible for, not only decline of western > > civilization, but all various and sundry despotic regimes throughout the > > world. It will end with you promising to vote Green in the next, and all > > future elections, just to stop the crying. > > > > Cheers, > > Michael Giesbrecht
