44 | Voting under autocracies

When living under an autocratic regime, should we continue voting or abstain in protest?

 

Zoltan Miklosi joins the podcast to talk about the political obligations of democrats who live under autocratic regimes. We discuss the consequences both of voting in elections despite the overwhelming odds in favor of the autocrat and of refusing to participate in elections in protest of the regime.

 

We discuss specific cases of autocracies which hold elections around the world, about why they would hold elections in the first place, and what each side has to gain and to lose. We also chat about democracy as an ideal more broadly, and whether one has any obligations to the society or governance structure they live under.

 

Guest: Zoltan Miklosi

 

More from Zoltan:

1. Political Obligation in Electoral Authoritarianism: The Case of Hungary

 

2. Social Equality and Democratic Authority