Full participation: a comparative study of compulsory voting

Abstract

Full participation is the first book-length study of compulsory voting to be published in the English language. The volume provides a comprehensive description, analysis and evaluation of an institution that is becoming increasingly attractive in the context of declining rates of electoral participation. About a quarter of all democracies today legally oblige their citizens to vote, making this an important aspect of electoral systems in many settings. Moreover, numerous commentators and policy-makers in voluntary voting states are coming to view mandatory attendance at the polls as an attractive option in the context of declining turnout. Yet there has been a dearth of analysis of the way in which compulsory voting shapes attitudes, behaviour and outcomes of the political process. This volume fills that gap by providing a comprehensive description, analysis and evaluation of compulsory voting