Why Do We Vote? It's Not For the Reasons You Think…

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In this episode we're joined by a leading political scientist to help us figure out the complex psychological and social factors that motivate us to vote… or not to. We discuss how and why our decision whether or not to vote might not be a rational one. And why it is important to understand that. And why it’s important to vote!


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[chillsahoy]

For me, I vote because every data point is necessary. Imagine you're doing a study with human subjects, and every test subject decided to leave the study because "I'm just one person, my singular data point is negligible". And while that may be true, you need sufficient data points to do statistical analysis, to get a representative result. Some people are going to choose not to vote, some are going to try to vote and something will prevent that from happening, etc. Each of us has to try our best to add our insignificant data point to the result. It's the same principle as being a good and selfless person: your kindness is probably negligible in the world at large, BUT it's still a non-zero amount.

[sidpomy]

Our individual vote may be statistically insignificant, but if everyone became apathetic because of that then the system would break down. It’s a sort of political tragedy of the commons. And in the end, that’s proof that your vote does matter, but only as a part of the whole.

[kenw]

My country, Australia, has compulsory voting and there is a monetary fine if you do not vote in federal or state elections. The situation varies between states regarding local government elections.

I believe there are about 20 or 30 countries around the world which have a similar policy.

Voting is always done on a Saturday between 8 am and 6 pm, so taking time off work to vote is not an issue.

Australia seems to have a different attitude towards elections than the US does, particularly the Republicans. In Australia, voting is seen as a civic duty, much like jury duty or paying taxes. In the US, and many other countries too, voting is seen as a privilege, not to be lightly given.

[PumpkinMozie]

I used to be a non-voter because I was complacent and thought my one vote didn’t matter. Then I realized that I was an idiot because if everyone thought that was and didn’t turn out, our democracy wouldn’t work. On a micro level it seems pointless, but on a macro level it’s very important.
Also, ofc the electoral college is complete BS, but it’s still not an excuse to not vote. Not every election is a presidential election. So few people turn out for smaller scale elections that your vote can actually have a huge impact on that level.

[LiiMuRi]

Voting is not just about who wins. It's also a way to show your opinion, even if your candidate doesn't win.

[yellowlynx]

To encourage people to vote make voting easy in America.
1) Make voting day a national holiday or on Sunday
2) Setup as many polling stations as possible, and that people don't have to wait in long lines - here in my city, we have one polling station per 10, 000 people, and is only 10 minutes walk
- Polling stations can be setup in school halls, community halls or even large sports statium
3) Make it simple to register as voter - all required IDs are free, all registration are free

[Foxtrot]

I’m surprised that the American Electoral College was not referenced in this video, as it represents a key element in naming the American President

[MadSpacePig]

Maybe this is me just me missing the pedantry of the specific scientific meaning of 'rational' in this case, but I feel like it's completely 'rational' to discount the thought that you won't have the deciding vote, because you know that if everyone like you had that thought, then they also wouldn't vote, and your favourite candidate might lose. Now to me that's still a completely selfish and strictly rational thought.

[hansjzeller]

I'm really surprised that the video didn't talk at all about game theory. Sometimes a purely selfish strategy produces worse outcomes for most people, including those who act selfishly. I think that most people understand that voting is a collaboration and that just looking at our own cost vs. benefit leads to a bad outcome. I would not call that "irrational".

[maluijten]

This comment section is already full of people telling your vote doesn't matter and voting or telling others to vote is stupid one way or another. You know why they tell you this? Because even if your vote alone does not make a huge impact, voting DOES matter. The people saying you shouldn't vote are influencing the narrative around voting, even if it isn't with malicious intent.

It doesn't matter if these commenters genuinely believe voting doesn't matter, or if they are bots trying to influence elections: the fact that so many comments are trying to make you not vote should tell you something is up.

The right to vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy. Use it.

[kitsurubami]

I'm 35 and I registered to vote so that I could participate in the 2024 presidential election. :)

[Attila_Beregi]

we've had an election for mayor recently and after 740 thousand votes counted the difference was around 300. So, one singular vote may not count but it definitely ads up ;)

[michaelbindner]

Campaign workers are motivated to volunteer their time if they think they will win, eitherö
L through reaction to their candidates by is positive or they lead in the polls.

In multi- party democracies everyone votes because their vote will count.

[depresso]

Personally, I vote for a completely selfish reason - to maximize the chance of seeing political outcomes that I want.

Also, "casting the deciding vote" makes sense only when you know how everyone else is voting, right? That doesn't sound like how popular vote works.

[jb]

2014, I was working as a pollworker (which I had done for decades and continue to do so) and one of the voters came in very upset because his wife had gotten a mailer saying "you didn't vote last election" along with a list of their neighbors who had voted. He said, "she was in the hospital! She always votes but that time she couldn't!" and that it ought to be illegal that whoever had sent out the mailing was trying to shame her into voting and potentially telling their neighbors whether or not she voted, that it's none of their business. One of my fellow pollworkers was similarly upset on the voter's behalf. I attempted to explain that it was just a dumb mail-merge mailer but they were too upset to listen.

[Scarker]

I think it's a massive oversimplification to view "rationality" as a purely cost/benefit analysis, especially when it comes to voting. For many people, it's more of a risk/threat balance - what do you risk by setting the time aside to vote versus what's the threat of the person you want to vote for not getting into office, or the threat their opponent poses.
It honestly sounds like the studies that are being referenced started with the question of "how do you manipulate people into voting" - and worked backwards from the conclusions to assume the answer to why people do or don't vote without considering many other socioeconomic factors.
Frankly, the sheer number of omissions could fill a dozen of these videos - and maybe that sheer brevity is the reason why the theorem as presented sounds so incomplete - but boiling down altruism to mere peer pressure based on an experiment in behavioral manipulation is definitely several orders of magnitude more of a logical leap than anything this video presented has justified.

[OneColdMonkey]

I vote so I can be justified in complaining later. 😛

[fegolem]

I vote based on policies, track record, and needs of the country (IMO). I try to look at every side. Time, energy, and sanity deplete quickly, when investigating the choices.

[zahraelok]

I love the pop art style of this video! Adding this channel right next to Lead Learn Leap. You guys have similar animated videos with informative knowledge ^^ Love it

[ikhbjhbkm]

Recognizing and defying social pressures is kinda my thing! I don't do things because I care what "you" think.

I do what I think is right, and have a very low opinion of decisions made because of groupthink or herd mentality. And an even lower opinion of those making decisions that way, knowingly or otherwise.