JOHN WALSH,
Sir, - Terry Prone (Opinion, December 28th) provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes of electoral apathy - and then advances a glib and pointless solution, namely compulsory voting.
The most basic principles of democracy are freedom and political equality. Democracy, unlike fascism or communism, cannot be maintained primarily by coercion - even the legal coercion of compulsory voting. Democracy depends upon the consent of the governed, not their whimpering acquiesence. Lower electoral turn-out is a symptom of popular disconnection from democratic politics in most developed states. The fundamental causes of this disaffection must be confronted not only by politicians but by interest groups and the media.
Terry Prone argues that "only vigorously enforced legislation" for compulsory voting will reverse popular disengagement from politics. This is the exact opposite of the truth. Such compulsion would merely reinforce the already widespread sense of alienation from politics and produce mountains of spoiled ballot papers. Compulsory voting is about as beneficial to politics as rearranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic while steaming full ahead towards the iceberg. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN WALSH,
Dunshaughlin,
Co Meath.