somehow lead to consensus through a utopian deliberative process. The Australian system he cites has not produced a placid political process by any means — and it’s already been in use for decades.
True majoritarian rule and democratic legitimacy are not intertwined, DAT
Berg, Chris. Informal Ballots Blame Compulsory Voting Institute of Public Affairs. 25
August 2010. Webb Theres another important argument against compulsory voting - we ought to have the freedom not to vote. In one of this country's few libertarian classics, Rip van Australia, John Singleton claimed it is the "ultimate contradiction fora supposedly free and democratic society to be founding on a system of compulsory voting" But Australia is a very utilitarian country. Arguments about rights and liberties don't get very far here. Many people claim that compulsory voting gives elected governments legitimacy. Put aside fora moment the implicit belief that the majority of democratic governments overseas are therefore somewhat illegitimate. If legitimacy is what we're seeking, then why not compel citizens to take turns running for parliament (like jury duty for Canberra) or insist they join apolitical party Absurd, of course, but the legitimacy argument is too vague to be useful. (1)
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