【日本語】
In the March 7 issue of 《「人生二周目」独想記》第27号, I published a Japanese article titled 戦争しない国はどこ. The article was also translated into English as Which country is not at war? for a bilingual edition. When I checked the number of accesses in June, the English text had more than twice the views as the Japanese text, with 288 compared to 127.
The article can be summarized as follows:
With the rise of dictatorial tendencies among the world’s major powers, we are entering a perilous era marked by increased threats of war. This trend is noticeable not only in totalitarian regimes with limited or no democracy but also in democratic nations such as the United States, which is often considered a model of democracy. The emergence of leaders with authoritarian leanings in the United States, a nation that champions democratic values, results from its free voting system. These leaders seek to consolidate power and exert global control, even if their support base does not constitute the majority of the populace.
Conversely, examining global voting systems reveals that compulsory voting exists in some nations. For instance, Australia witnessed a 93% voter turnout in this year’s election. In such scenarios, where the entire nation’s will is genuinely tested, a victory for dictatorial candidates necessitates policies that appeal to a broad spectrum of the population, including men, women, and immigrants of diverse backgrounds. This contrasts with the approximately 60% turnout in free ballots influenced by perceived threats and national pride.
As someone who identifies as “half-Aussie, half-Japanese,” and has resided in Australia for 40 years, soon to be 79 years old next month, I have observed firsthand the reality of an all-participating electoral system. Initially, I found this compulsory system, which imposes fines for abstaining, somewhat discomforting.
Throughout my extensive experience living in this country and witnessing its daily life and political framework, I have come to understand that the obligation of voting has played a significant role in bridging the gap between politicians and the populace. This compulsory participation has fostered a positive sense of populism in a political environment where citizens tend to feel disconnected from placing their hopes in elite leaders such as dictators.
In my perspective, individuals driven by competition and victory often find their place in sports. The extraordinary passion Australians have for sports, coupled with excellent facilities available in towns and cities, contributes to Australia’s remarkable success in winning Olympic medals per capita.
On the other hand, highly talented individuals who are not satisfied with opportunities in their home country may seek personal achievement by relocating to the U.K. or the U.S. While the local environment may not be conducive to nurturing exceptional talents fully, the fact remains that the home country continues to produce such gifted individuals.
My earlier article received twice as many readers in English as in Japanese, and although the breakdown by country is not known, it is expected to have a substantial number of Australian readers.
The question at hand is significant for humanity: Do we prefer a reality of war, where people harm each other without knowing one another, or peace, where everyone experiences happiness even if individual accomplishments are less pronounced? This poses a fundamental issue for society. It is essential to recognize that such matters should not be subjected to dictatorial control.
Although the free/voluntary voting system sounds appealing, it may overlook crucial issues. Conversely, the mandatory/compulsory voting system ensures that important points are addressed. Preventing potential negative consequences from seeming beneficial systems requires awareness.
I hope we can wake from the nightmare of authoritarian demands before this seemingly virtuous system brings about an undeniable tragedy. The system itself, however, is not the root of the issue. A genuine resolution will naturally emerge through the realisation of universal civic participation—essentially tantamount to the implementation of compulsory voting.
As a postscript, access to the above bilingual articles, both in Japanese and English, increased rapidly in June, perhaps reflecting the global situation. In particular, the number of articles translated into English, which had previously been very small, has turned into a remarkable increase.