Is voter apathy necessary for a good democracy?

[LazyGun]

Interesting article in the New Stateman;

http://www.newstatesm...its-idiot-demographic

From the article ;
"In order to move as a coherent group, without splintering, we need not be too persuadable. If voters are switched on and highly informed, they are also volatile, and a vocal and convincing speaker can sway them in a second"

Flies in the face of what I believe in - I think there is too much apathy about politics, in the UK at least, but what do you guys think?

[Old_Geezer]

It matters little. Fashionable opinions still ruin what we already have in the dash for change for change's sake. Although I suspect that is often down to lobbying at all levels rather than votes. All the uninterested do is ensure the existing power groups get to take turns in power. The apathetic do not vote and so have no influence, at least using official means. I don't see the reference to fish refusing to swim so I'm unsure the comparison is valid.

[naomi24]

//If voters are switched on and highly informed, they are also volatile, and a vocal and convincing speaker can sway them in a second"//

I also think a lot of people are apathetic where politics is concerned - but that statement sounds like contradictory nonsense to me. If people are highly informed, they're hardly likely to be swayed in a second by any speaker - no matter how charismatic he may be.

[boxtops]

Feels like we are having voter apathy next week about the Police Commissioner elections - nobody's heard of any of the candidates, let alone seen them.

[LazyGun]

I agree boxtops with the PCC elections. There must surely be a point where voter turnout is so low that it effectively invalidates any mandate for the post.

I think I mis-titled this post a little, and misrepresented the article a little as well. I think what the article is trying to say is fairly unoriginal - that politics has a tendency to gravitate toward the centre, and much of that tendency is due to the large number of voters who, whilst interested enough to exercise their vote and perhaps take account of the headline issues, are not ideologically committed or driven to either a right or left philosophy.

[Old_Geezer]

As for the police Commissioner elections, how can one make a judged selection when none of the necessary information has been forthcoming ? Am I supposed to put a cross next to the name that looks prettiest ?