Hiroshi Mukaide（向出博）Time Traveler

Essence of Democracy: Equality of One Vote – Neglecting It is Irresponsible and Missed Opportunity

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政治・経済・ビジネス

2023-10-11

In Japan, whether you're an elite or a commoner, you only have the right to cast "one vote" in elections.

The equality of this voting right is the essence of democracy.

So, neglecting to go to the polls and saying "just one vote" is irresponsible and a missed opportunity.

Countries like Japan, among other Western nations, always boast about democracy being the best political system.

However, Japan's voter turnout for elections is less than 50%.

As a result, Japan's democracy has become more like a family business, job hunting, or entrepreneurship for some individuals who turn politics into a business.

Can we truly be proud of such a superficial democracy?

The very reason democracy is considered the best political system is that, whether you're wealthy or a commoner, you have the same "one vote" and an equal right to vote.

Democracy is based on an egalitarian value system that seems incompatible with capitalism.

If you think about it, capitalist society is a harsh, dog-eat-dog competitive society.

The winners of this competition are the heroes of capitalist society.

Moreover, in capitalism, the wealth gap between the capitalists (elite) and the workers (commoners) is seen as the result of fair competition, so it's supposed to be accepted.

Any failures due to lack of ability, effort, or laziness are considered personal responsibility.

Inequality resulting from fair competition means that the losers are at fault.

The only option is to climb up through self-help.

Such a competitive and harsh capitalism, which endorses survival of the fittest, has somehow driven out socialism and communism.

The rise of ruthless capitalism as the mainstream worldwide might be due to the inherent instinct of humans who love inequality and unfairness.

However, things have been changing lately.

It turns out that there is no such thing as "fair competition," which was the hallmark of capitalism.

It's obvious because the family you are born into, whether you're rich or poor, into a hereditary politician or business family, or just a commoner's family, greatly determines the course of your life.

Not only that, even among commoner families, there are differences in parents' education and cultural levels, the individual's IQ, physical abilities, appearance, and height.

In capitalism, such inherently unequal human beings, with differing family environments and individual differences, are pitted against each other on the same playing field.

The result is clear: a society with disparities, where those who should win, win, and those who should lose, lose.

If you lose in the battle, remaining quiet and obedient keeps you a loser forever.

On the other hand, taking up arms and causing terror or revolution is out of the question.

Is there really no hope anywhere?

No, you should remember that there is salvation called "democracy." In Japan, a democratic country, whether you're an elite or a commoner, you have the equal right to vote, represented by "one vote."

So, please think about it.

Neglecting to go to the polls and saying "just one vote" is incredibly irresponsible.

In any case, when you get frustrated in life or in your daily life, go to the elections.

Unless the citizens of a democratic nation exercise their truly equal voting rights, this country won't change.

As I think about this, I'm getting concerned.

If the citizens stop voting, Japan might no longer be called a democratic nation.