Political Philosophy: Youth and Voting

In a democracy such as ours, we give people to right to vote in order to make decisions on policies. This is especially critical for our young people in college. Think of the possible differences we can make with colleges, student loans and getting your first job in your field of career. Please watch the following 2 videos and respond to the questions.

Video 1

Do young people vote?

https://youtu.be/HaLsZWqQo9E

Video 2

What are young people willing to give up for the right to vote?

https://youtu.be/EtCkGjaTtD0

Discussion Questions

  1. Do young people vote? What does the video say? What is your take on the same question?
  2. What are young people willing to give up for the right to vote? What percent of young people are willing to give up the right to vote? Why do you think this is so?
  3. Do you think voting is effective? Why or why not? If it is not really effective, what else can we put in place of it?

Full Answer Section

        n my opinion, young people should vote. Voting is a right and a responsibility that allows people to have a say in how the country is run. Young people have a stake in the future of the country, and voting is one way to make sure that their voices are heard.

What are young people willing to give up for the right to vote?

The second video What are young people willing to give up for the right to vote? says that according to a survey conducted by the Reboot Foundation, 61% of young adults say they would choose TikTok over voting rights. This number is even higher among teenagers, with 64% of them saying they'd choose social media over voting rights.

The video suggests that this is problematic because it shows how important social media can be for young people and their priorities. The video also talks about how Australia has a mandatory voting system where everyone is required to vote. If you don't vote, you get fined. The idea behind mandatory voting is that it forces everybody to vote and have a say. However, the video acknowledges that people might prioritize social media over voting even with a mandatory system.

Whether or not voting is effective is a complex question. There is no easy answer. On the one hand, voting is one way to hold politicians accountable. If politicians know that they can be voted out of office if they don't represent the interests of their constituents, they are more likely to be responsive to the needs of the people. On the other hand, voting is just one part of the political process. There are many other ways to get involved in politics, such as volunteering for a campaign, donating to a candidate, or protesting.

Ultimately, whether or not voting is effective is up to each individual to decide. However, it is important to remember that voting is a right that many people have fought hard for. It is a right that should not be taken for granted.

   

Sample Answer

    According to the first video Do young people vote?, a poll found around a third of young people voted on The X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing while less than a quarter were planning to vote in the general election. Young people interviewed in the video say they don't feel like they are represented by major political parties and that the issues that politicians are talking about are not the issues that affect them. The video also says that young people don't trust politicians because they say one thing and then do another.