Era of apathy
Do you really believe you have rights?
January 23, 2008
by Yolanda Kornelsen
Our generation is going to take over the world. Literally. In 50-70 years, anybody in power today is going to be dead or resembling vegetation. We will be inheriting a very interesting system. There will be lots of issues for us to fix and many more mistakes for us to make. One thing is for sure: we will be pointing a lot of blame back to those in power today.
Unfortunately, our potential future leaders are, for the most part, mired in apathy. In 2000, only about 25 per cent of voters between the ages of 18 and 24 exercised their given rights in the federal election, compared to the overall voter turnout of 61 per cent. Of those who did vote, many were merely choosing their candidate based on tradition, instead of an educated choice. When Elections Canada surveyed this age group, most of the reasons for not voting were due to discouragement in the choices of politicians, belief that their one vote didn’t count for anything, or simply a lack of belief in the political system and in its relevancy to their lives.
With predictions that yet another federal election is looming, this apathy isn’t receding. Life is generally good for Canadians. With a lack of important issues on the campaigning platforms, the elections are bound to pass with yet another record low turnout.
Statistics show that the voter turnout out has fallen in most industrialized countries. And yet, in other areas of the world, youth activism is increasing. In Costa Rica, for example, the debate surrounding CAFTA (a free trade agreement with the United States and other Central American countries) is centered in the universities. Protests and demonstrations are primarily led by students and the calls for its opposition are directed towards the young people.
The violence in the current Kenyan situation is attributed in part to the lack of opportunities for the younger generation in politics. Many are now calling the events a “generational revolution” as the veterans of the independence struggle are still the ones who maintain control of the governmental happenings.
One intriguing aspect of the Canadian parliamentary affairs, is the predominance of young faces. Many executive and administrative assistants, advisors to ministers, and parliamentarian staff are young people barely out of college. Dispel the myth of politics being completely hogged by white-bearded faces. Yet, this is hardly reflective of the larger Canadian community.
As the situation in Kenya shows, conflict leads to the desire for having one’s voice heard. Perhaps voter apathy is not a negative sign but a symbol for a strong economy and a competent (or at least acceptable) government.
However insignificant our vote might feel, the act of voting not only is our right as citizens but gives us the right to have a say in what the government is doing. If you didn’t vote in the last election and have no intention of voting in the next one, you have reneged your right to complain or opine on anything that the governing powers are doing.
As emerging young professionals, we are the ones who will decide the future political path of our country with the energy to make changes. If you don’t know who to vote for, make yourself aware of the issues surrounding the parties and the politicians. In owning your decision, you own the right to be a citizen.
Now you go...
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