Instructions
I want you to evaluate the so-called Paradox of Voting. The paradox of voting states that for the individual person, the act of voting is irrational, yet millions of people in democracies around the world vote anyway. By irrationality we mean that the costs or effort to become informed about candidates, get registered, and stand in line on election day outweigh the benefits of voting. In addition, your vote almost never makes a difference because you can cast just one vote out of millions in presidential elections. So why then, do people vote? And, why should you?
Answer the following question
Is the paradox of voting correct? Is it irrational for individuals to vote? And if so why should anyone vote? Why or why not? Please support your claim with at least three well-developed reasons.
To help you answer this question, please consult the following sources as well as the readings in the syllabus and the textbook chapters and lectures on political ignorance.
"Your Vote Doesn't Count" by Katherine Mangu-Ward in Reason
"Is it Irrational to Vote?" Response to Katherine Mangu-Ward's Essay
"No, You Don't Have an Obligation to Vote" by A. Barton Hinkle in Reason
"Who Votes, Who Doesn't, And Why" Pew Research
"Why it can be Rational to Vote" by Andrew Gelman, Professor of Statistics and Political Science at Columbia University
"Is Voting Worth the Trouble?" Jim Holt New York Times
"Why Vote?" Dubner and Levitt New York Times
"7 Reasons You Should Vote" The Huffington Post
You Do Not have to use all these sources for your paper. I just wanted you to have several different points of view to consider. Please cite any sources you do use with in-text citations. Please do not use any sources beyond those listed above, except for the textbook and lectures.
Your essay should be no more than two pages, double spaced.
Note: No outside sources are allowed in this essay.
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