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Single Idea 20498

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation ]

Full Idea

To avoid mixed-motivation voting, we must choose between one model of people voting in accordance with their preferences, and another of voting for their estimate of the common good.

Gist of Idea

We should decide whether voting is for self-interests, or for the common good

Source

Jonathan Wolff (An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) [2006], 3 'Voting')

Book Ref

Wolff,Jonathan: 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev)' [OUP 2006], p.74

A Reaction

Personally I always voted for the common good, and only slowly realised that most people were voting for their own interests. A rational society would at least bring this dichotomy into the open. Voting for self-interest isn't wicked.

The 23 ideas with the same theme [government's consultation, by plebiscite or election]:

1566 The first priority in elections is to vote for people who support democracy [Anon (Diss)]
19965 The fundamental laws of a democracy decide who can vote [Montesquieu]
19968 It is basic to a democracy that the people themselves must name their ministers [Montesquieu]
19969 Voting should be public, so the lower classes can be influenced by the example of notable people [Montesquieu]
19999 All citizens (apart from the very humble poor) should choose their representatives [Montesquieu]
19748 Plebiscites are bad, because they exclude the leaders from crucial decisions [Rousseau]
7243 Silence of the people implies their consent [Rousseau]
19832 Democratic elections are dangerous intervals in government [Rousseau]
22800 Majority rule means obligations can be imposed on me [Hegel]
21792 The state should reflect all interests, and not just popular will, or a popular party [Hegel, by Houlgate]
20508 How people vote should be on public record, so they can be held accountable [Mill, by Wolff,J]
20507 Voting is a strict duty, like jury service, and must only be aimed at the public good [Mill]
22678 An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis [Tocqueville]
14846 If we want the good life for the greatest number, we must let them decide on the good life [Nietzsche]
20498 We should decide whether voting is for self-interests, or for the common good [Wolff,J]
20499 Condorcet proved that sensible voting leads to an emphatically right answer [Wolff,J]
20979 Democracy needs more than some institutions; diverse sections of the people must be heard [Sen]
20999 Democracy as 'government by discussion' now has wide support [Sen]
20095 A referendum result arises largely from ignorance [Reybrouck]
20609 If several losing groups would win if they combine, a runoff seems called for [Tuckness/Wolf]
20605 Rights as interests (unlike rights as autonomy) supports mandatory voting [Tuckness/Wolf]
20599 How should democratic votes be aggregated? Can some person's votes count for more? [Tuckness/Wolf]
20601 Discussion before voting should be an essential part of democracy [Tuckness/Wolf]