The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy has published an updated and expanded version of its entry on "The Ethics and Rationality of Voting." It is authored by Georgetown Prof. Jason Brennan, a leading expert on democratic theory. Here is his summary of the issues covered:
This entry focuses on six major questions concerning the rationality and morality of voting:
- Is it rational for an individual citizen to vote?
- Is there a moral duty to vote?
- Are there moral obligations regarding how citizens vote?
- Is it justifiable for governments to compel citizens to vote?
- Is it permissible to buy, trade, and sell votes?
- Who ought to have the right to vote, and should every citizen have an equal vote?
