Canadian politics: Election 2021: strategic voting

Self-tutoring about politics: the tutor mentions an angle.

Conrad Black argues that this election, the only “rational” vote is for the Conservatives. He makes a strong, interesting case; he’s been a newspaperman since 1967, so has seen his fair share of elections.

One point that comes through very strongly from Black in that recent article is that of strategic voting. I’ll define strategic voting as voting for the electable party that’s your favourite, or else voting against the electable party you dislike the most, rather than voting for the party you truly prefer.

My wife and I’ve discussed how we’ll each vote during many elections. I typically vote for the party I like, while she votes strategically.

People who vote strategically – and I’ve talked with many – mention such ideas as “wasted vote” and “you don’t want them getting in, do you?” People who vote for the party they like more often talk optimistically about what that party would do if it won –“wouldn’t that be great when they did …. ?”

Perhaps democracy is chiefly a mirage: the cynical veteran knows there’s no water where the idealist is looking. Like last time, they just drive the jeep along the dry desert road to the polling station, while the idealist passenger sees water everywhere. At said station, the driver’s ballot has two choices, while the idealist’s, many more.

Source:

britannica.com