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irishcoffeeyesterday at 8:56 PM2 repliesview on HN

> Democracy is about the active citizens.

You really believe that? If you don’t vote you’re not an active citizen?

I have no words.


Replies

ecshaferyesterday at 11:07 PM

Yes. The active passive citizen distinction is an important aspect of representative democracy. This was foundational per the federalist papers and the enlightenment at large. Kant enunerates the active vs passive distinction in “Doctrine of Right” and “Theory and Practice”. The US has many issues largely stemming from moving away from active citizen distinctions. If I were to have it my way we would raise the requirement and burden of both voting and office to eliminate the passive citizens from having as much say, and the leaches in office.

Rexxaryesterday at 11:26 PM

A citizen that don't vote for the most important election is clearly not very active.

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