PHILOSOPHY - DEMOCRACY 10: Must Voters Be Knowledgeable?

TL;DR

Explores if voting should depend on political knowledge.

Transcript

Hi. I’m Geoff Pynn. I teach philosophy at Elgin Community College. In this video, I’m going to talk about whether voting should be restricted on the basis of how much you know. In his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. said that a law “inflicted upon a minority which that minority had no part in enacting or creating” was, for tha... Read More

Key Insights

• Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized that laws affecting a minority without their input are unjust, highlighting the importance of inclusive voting rights in a democracy.
• Children are typically excluded from voting due to presumed ignorance, raising questions about whether ignorant adults should also be excluded.
• Historical literacy tests in the US disenfranchised African-Americans, showing how knowledge-based voting restrictions can perpetuate inequality.
• John Stuart Mill suggested giving more votes to knowledgeable individuals, but this could over-represent privileged groups due to educational disparities.
• Knowledge-based voting restrictions might protect elites more than they protect democracy, by underrepresenting marginalized groups.
• The removal of knowledge requirements hasn't necessarily increased political equality, as economic elites still heavily influence government policy.
• Plato warned that democracy's weakness is the manipulation of ignorant voters, suggesting knowledge requirements might strengthen democracy.
• An alternative perspective is to include everyone in voting, regardless of knowledge, to ensure broader representation and participation.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are children typically excluded from voting?

Children are generally excluded from voting because they are presumed to lack the necessary political knowledge to make informed decisions. This assumption is based on the belief that their developmental stage does not equip them with sufficient understanding of political issues, a rationale that raises questions about excluding ignorant adults as well.

Q: What historical example illustrates the misuse of knowledge-based voting restrictions?

The use of literacy tests in the southern United States during the Jim Crow era serves as a historical example of the misuse of knowledge-based voting restrictions. These tests were ostensibly designed to ensure informed voting but were actually used to disenfranchise African-Americans, who were less likely to have the educational background required to pass the tests.

Q: What was John Stuart Mill's proposal regarding voting and knowledge?

John Stuart Mill proposed that individuals with more political knowledge should be given additional votes, suggesting a system where academic achievements could translate into greater electoral influence. This idea aimed to safeguard elections from ignorant voters but risked over-representing privileged groups, as educational attainment often correlates with socio-economic status.

Q: What impact have the removal of knowledge requirements had on political equality in the US?

The removal of knowledge requirements in voting has not necessarily led to increased political equality in the US. Political scientists Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page argue that economic elites and business interests continue to significantly influence government policy, while the preferences of average citizens have minimal impact, suggesting persistent inequality in political representation.

Q: How might knowledge requirements affect democracy according to Plato?

Plato believed that democracy's greatest weakness was the susceptibility of ignorant voters to manipulation by demagogues. He suggested that knowledge requirements might bolster democracy by ensuring that elections more accurately reflect the informed will of the people, potentially protecting the political system from being swayed by easily manipulated voters.

Q: What are the arguments against excluding ignorant voters from elections?

Excluding ignorant voters from elections could lead to the underrepresentation of marginalized and historically oppressed groups, as knowledge-based restrictions often correlate with socio-economic status. Such exclusions might protect societal elites from electoral challenges, undermining democratic principles by restricting broader participation and representation in the electoral process.

Q: What alternative to knowledge-based voting restrictions is suggested?

An alternative to knowledge-based voting restrictions is to abandon the idea that ignorance justifies exclusion from voting. This perspective advocates for universal voting rights, including extending the franchise to children, to ensure inclusive representation and participation, thereby strengthening democracy by reflecting a broader spectrum of societal interests.

Q: What role do economic elites play in the current political environment according to Gilens and Page?

According to political scientists Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page, economic elites and business interests play a significant role in shaping American government policy. Despite the removal of knowledge requirements, these groups continue to exert considerable influence, while the policy preferences of average citizens have little effect, indicating a disparity in political power and representation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Geoff Pynn discusses whether voting should be contingent on political knowledge, referencing Martin Luther King Jr.'s views on unjust laws affecting minorities. He questions if ignorant adults should be excluded from voting, similar to children, due to low political knowledge.

• Historical literacy tests in the US were used to disenfranchise African-Americans, highlighting the dangers of knowledge-based voting restrictions. John Stuart Mill's proposal of giving more votes to knowledgeable individuals is also explored, considering its potential impact on representation.

• The video examines whether eliminating knowledge requirements has increased political equality in the US, noting the continued influence of economic elites. It also considers Plato's concerns about democracy's vulnerability to manipulation and the potential benefits of universal voting rights.