Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Jakee, Keith

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

McGovern, Warren

Abstract

Arend Lijphart claims low voter turnout plagues democratic countries because it causes elections to be unrepresentative of the electorate. Therefore, he believes that compulsory voting is the only way to solve this ―unresolved dilemma.‖ Proponents of compulsory voting also argue that increased voter participation has positive effects on a country. This paper will not only evaluate the effects of compulsory voting on certain aspects of citizens’ welfare, but also citizens’ overall satisfaction with their life and government. In order to measure each of these elements, I will look at income equality, level of government corruption, and democracy ranking. I will also use the World Values Survey to compare the feelings of citizens towards their life and government in countries with compulsory voting to those of citizens in countries with voluntary voting. I hypothesize that there will not be significant differences between the two electoral systems.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Extent

50 p.

Identifier

FA00003581

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