Date/Time 18 Mar 2014 12:10:26am
An important fact about democracy that tends to get downplayed is that in a two-party system (or even some slightly larger number of "major parties" system) if you don't agree with the policies of either party, there's usually no point voting. The main parties don't reflect your political views and any minor parties or independents that might, normally have no hope of winning government (or even influencing the policies of the government). And yet if you don't vote, you are portrayed as somehow "irresponsible" (especially in the Australian system, in which voting is officially compulsory).

A more realistic and inclusive conception of democracy would recognise that not voting for any of the candidates on offer is often a perfectly legitimate political choice. As long as declining to vote is seen as "invalid" in this country, we can't claim to enjoy the level of democracy common to other Western nations.