“a democratic system in which everyone is "required" to participate in the political process is desirable state of affairs”
Citizens of a democratic nation have one job to do.
If they’re not doing it, the question must be Why?
Citizens of a democratic nation have one job to do.
If they’re not doing it, the question must be Why?
I don't actually think it's important why someone doesn't vote, so long as their right to vote isn't impeded. I have a theory that society, like many other systems, tends to take on more stable forms over time. Part of the reason democracy has been so stable is that it allows people, who would otherwise be unhappy and want to change things, a chance to have a say. Non-voters are already a "stable" part of society, since they apparently don't have strong enough feelings to go vote for something different. I don't see a problem with that.
And they are doing their job. Voting was never a job.
This seems circular, and makes it sound like citizens exist to serve the government rather than the other way around.
When you fix your car, does your car benefit? When you remodel your house, does your house benefit?
In my mind, government functions, and ideally it functions in service of the people.