Why do Americans
vote? Well, according to an article from the APA, there are different motives,
ranging from: altruism, self-expression and even “fitting in.” (Munsey) Given the latter reason, it’s no wonder not
voting is such a frowned upon practice in America.
Rational abstention is the decision not to
participate when the cost of action outweighs that of inaction. As it relates to politics, rational
abstention may sometimes be described as “rational ignorance” or “voter
apathy”; labels that seem to have negative connotations but that I also don’t
fully reject. Although I don’t negate the importance of civic engagement, there are still psychological hurdles that
always stop me from partaking.
Insufficient
Information.
Now, I’m not implying there’s a lack of available information. On the contrary: there’s too much data. And like Michael Pollan’s theory of “The
Omnivore’s Dilemma”: in the face of N number of sources, N candidates and N
scandals, trying to filter out bias, though possible, is overwhelming.
I am, however,
registered to vote and, mostly due to social pressure, did in Georgia’s last
Gubernatorial election for Ted Metz. There were other positions, in addition to governor, but I don’t remember the names of who I chose. Regardless, I mainly voted for Metz because of his stance on cannabis laws, of which
Georgia has some of the strictest; secondarily for his scathing criticism of
the inflated staff of colleges. Though,
relative to my point, I merely decided based on significant data rather enough
data, at least compared to the amount that goes into other decisions.
Opportunity
Costs. As
implied before, wasted time is the most salient opportunity cost. Though, the more philosophical negative
effects are what I’m concerned about. In
“An Argument For Voting Abstention” Nathan Hanna somewhat addresses this,
insisting “If an act perpetuates un-fairness, that is also a prima facie reason
to refrain.” More specifically, I’ve
begun to assess what my most pressing concerns are, and whether voting will
progress these issues or, inadvertently, retard them. For example, I’m super concerned about the
environment, so it would be assumed that voting democrat is automatic.
However, the elitist vibe I get from the left is just as triggering as the blatant white supremacy from the right, if not a more subtle version of it. So, I can’t calculate how much voting blue will do to address the weird superiority complex I sense from affluent liberals via public spaces (e.g., campuses, offices, parks, bars/venues). Voting Democrat may even solidify that complex by boosting the already inflated confidence white people have relative to their identity as Americans. My vote may do nothing to erode the ever homogenized, insular communities most whites thrive in. Nor will it make their exclusive social circles and segregated schools more inclusive. Hanna articulates my apprehension stating, “The vast majority of voters vote for candidates who will maintain the status quo.”
Further, I’m
starting to realize that even some of least popular politicians that the media
loves to mock and vilify (e.g., Bush, Trump, etc) actually embody the American psyche;
even the Americans who oppose them. In
other words, I’ve noticed a sort of #idgaf attitude that permeates our culture
and it isn’t specific to one race, ethnicity or special interest group.
Not too long
before the quarantine I attended an event that didn’t have an online purchase
option but also started having issues with their card reader right as I entered. I initially was patient but after a few
minutes watching them tinker with it I asked if they’d give a discount if I
paid cash. The guy said no so I
continued to wait, figuring they’d rethink their answer. In short, they did not. So, reluctantly, I paid full price with the
little cash I had. I think I was more pissed
at the irony of the scenario; a big poster at the entrance had all these
progressive clichés like “No Hate. No Racism. No…”: yet in the most capitalist,
non-communal manner they refused to budge on a few dollars, despite the
inconvenience being on their end. I
didn’t mean to turn this post into a Google review, but my point is that
buzzwords and party labels mean shit and behavior says so much more.
Even in my neighborhood, there are times when I’ve observed a significant lack
of compassion for others. An example
that is burned into my mind is when early one morning I was awoken to someone
honking their horn loudly and repeatedly; it felt like it lasted for 5 minutes
and was inconsistent: so I know it wasn’t an alarm. It couldn’t have been any later than 6am and
I just remember being so annoyed that people could care so little that others
need to sleep; especially since, as adults, we know how precious it is.
So, when I observe
such mass indifference I wonder if voting is irresponsible. In the sense that helping America put a
shiny, externally pleasant Democrat in office every four years so that it can
appear “evolved” to rest of the world may do more harm than good. Maybe America needs to be embarrassed when its dick is hanging out, seen for what it is: a nation of jerks.
Selfishness is another possible reason for my views about voting. In the APA article, Richard Jankowski
states that “people who don't vote tend to be much more self-interested." Ironically, I pass his litmus, which asks a
player of a hypothetical game would they split a sum of money with a second
player, even if their identity was unknown: I would. Nevertheless, I’d argue that if there was a
time to be selfish, voting is it; given that everybody gets their own. So, as much pleasure as I take in calling
myself out, I’d say this reasoning is moot.
Overall, lack of solid insight about
candidates and the various elections, the cost of making social issues worse
and even latent egotism could all be reasons for my “voter apathy.” A possible way I came across in my research to
address those who feel unmotivated to vote are systems that put more emphasis
on who didn’t vote and analyze that data. Though, I wouldn’t hold my breath. With that said, thank you reading
and of course: stay pissed.
References
Hanna,
N. (2009). An Argument for Voting Abstention. Public Affairs Quarterly, 23(4),
275-286. Retrieved May 23, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/40441535
Munsey,
Christopher. “Why Do We Vote?” Monitor
Staff. June 2008, Vol 39, No. 6. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/06/vote
RATIONAL
ABSTENTION, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB
LLC, 2000-2020. [Accessed: May 23, 2020].
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