Has Local Demodracy Really Got A Future?

摘要

The Government's approach to local democracy is based on an obsession with low turnout - but only in local elections. It has made no response to the fall in turnout in general elections We need some realism about turnout. It is not a test of how well a democratic system is working. Totalitarian governments can have 99% turnouts. Compulsory voting might raise the turnout, but fining and imprisoning citizens who don't vote might just turn people off altogether.