Voting And Voting

Democracy is the ablity to have a voice in government , however not a direct voice.This indirect voice is best represented through the leaders that ones sees best fit.So how do americans get their voice across? The answer is simple , and that is through voting and political particapation.The right to vote was a long haul, in the 1800s only landowning white males where allowed to vote.Over time with the demand for change, blacks were allowed to vote and slowy but surely women were allow to vote.Currently in the United States of America in order vote you must be 18 years or older and a U.S citizen.This essay will explore the prilvage of voting, why voters tend to vote and why not and if voting can be considered rational.

The right to vote does not mean the need to vote .Whether it be the presidental election or a small town election , the whole concept behind any election is to represent democracy.Voting allows the peoples voice to choose who will represent their government.Often times the issue of adverse selection arises where not enough information is given to the voter making it hard for the voter to choose the best representative.Another issue making it hard for voters to want to vote would be the problem of moral hazard.A great example of moral hazard would be the Watergate Scandal in 1972.During this time the United States was at war with Vitenam and all hopes and beliefs were in President Nixon.The Vitenam war was a war that confused many Americans , and due to this confusion Nixon was looked to for gudiance and understanding.He won his reelection in 1972 with 97 percent of electoral votes.The American people wanted the troops out of vietnam and Nixon promise to "withdrawl all american troops within 90 days of ta...

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... are backed behind that vote.In 2001, Presdent George bush favored the top 1 percent of wage earners by providing tax cuts , “polling data showed that millions of middle class and lower middle class americans still favor the tax cuts altough these cuts did not benefit them”( Lowi 421).Middle class and lower class voters lacked understanding and knowelegde when they supported the 2001 tax cuts for the wealthy.It is this lack of knoweledge that professor Larry Bartel argues is “misplaced self interest”.So in short voting is rational if it is a educated vote.

Having the right the vote expresses the idea of demcocracy.However true and effiecent democracy is where the voter is educated and aware of present situations and other possible outcomes.By exploring the way in which voters make their choices it becomes clear wherether voting for some could be consider rational.