Dr. Eric Daniels on Why Voting Doesn't Matter
Radio Interview: Wednesday, 24 October 2012
I interviewed Dr. Eric Daniels on "Why Voting Doesn't Matter" on Philosophy in Action Radio on Wednesday, 24 October 2012. You can listen to or download the podcast below.
Many people believe that voting is a crucial civic duty, and people often argue vociferously about who to vote for, particularly for US President. Are such arguments a waste of breath? Does your vote actually matter?
Dr. Eric Daniels is a research assistant professor at Clemson University's Institute for the Study of Capitalism. He has a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Wisconsin.
Tags: Elections, Politics, Voting
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Subjects Discussed
- Voting does not convey your beliefs to politicians
- Single votes versus margins of error
- What if nobody voted
- What if everybody voted
- The right to complain about politics
- The importance of the franchise
- How to make a difference in politics, apart from voting
- Voting as a matter of activist credibility
- Influencing elections via voting blocs
- Influencing elections by influencing mass voting versus abstaining
- The anarchist argument against voting
Links
- How the GOP Lost My Vote by Paul Hsieh
- The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies by Bryan Caplan
- Reason: Your Vote Doesn't Count by Katherine Mangu-Ward
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About Philosophy in Action Radio
I'm Dr. Diana Hsieh. I'm a philosopher specializing the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. I received my Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. My dissertation defended moral responsibility and moral judgment against the doubts raised by Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."
My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer four meaty questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in a live hour-long show. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. On Wednesday evenings, I interview an expert guest about a topic of practical importance.
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