Irrational voters

My students all seem to be going back home to their families today for the presidential vote. In some cases the trips are long and time/money consuming. I don’t have the heart to tell them about the most celebrated of all political science theories — about the irrationality of voting.

It goes like this: since there are millions of people voting, the chance that your vote will be decisive is so low that it doesn’t justify the trouble you go through. This is particularly the case if you have to travel far to do it. You are more likely to have a terrible accident on your way back to Pingdong, Gaoshiung or Jaiyi than to actually determine who becomes the next president. (Or find yourself a person here in Xinzhu who votes for the opposite party, make a pact not to vote, and save yourself the trip).

But rationality isn’t what it’s about of course (and political science is, everything considered, a bloody waste of time). My students go back home to participate in an important ritual of citizenship. To vote is to affirm your rights as a Taiwanese and to celebrate the country’s vibrant democracy. Not to vote is to not claim your rights. Go for it! (and cast your votes wisely …)

My students all seem to be going back home to their families today for the presidential vote. In some cases the trips are long and time/money consuming. I don’t have the heart to tell them about the most celebrated of all political science theories — about the irrationality of voting.

It goes like this: since there are millions of people voting, the chance that your vote will be decisive is so low that it doesn’t justify the trouble you go through. This is particularly the case if you have to travel far to do it. You are more likely to have a terrible accident on your way back to Pingdong, Gaoshiung or Jaiyi than to actually determine who becomes the next president. (Or find yourself a person here in Xinzhu who votes for the opposite party, make a pact not to vote, and save yourself the trip).

But rationality isn’t what it’s about of course (and political science is, everything considered, a bloody waste of time). My students go back home to participate in an important ritual of citizenship. To vote is to affirm your rights as a Taiwanese and to celebrate the country’s vibrant democracy. Not to vote is to not claim your rights. Go for it! (and cast your votes wisely …)