In a way we are arguing to the same end. I suggested in the podcast that those who vote provide legitimacy to the government, and thus bear some responsibility for the governments actions.
Its just a thought I often ponder and knew it would be contravertial.
I also ask what would happen if no one voted in an election? What signal would that send? Would a government (elected by , say, 5% of the population) be legitimate?
Depends on what you mean by legitimate. In a philosophic Thomas Paine way then no it is not a government made up of the "will" of the people.
But look around the world, there are lots of governments that run with sham voting or no voting at all. They are legitimate governments that that legitimately hang you in the city square.
Who does the hanging?
A government can be given power, or extract it via violence. Either way there are humans behind every expression of "legitimacy".
Its always humans who give a government power. True, humans with guns can instill a lot of "legitimacy", and disproportionally so.
I have no interest in "giving" a government or anyone else power over me or anyone else.
