What is compulsory voting and how does this help to bring about the idea of representative government?

Compulsory voting is a system in which all eligible citizens are required by law to vote in elections. If they do not vote, they may face penalties such as fines or community service. This system is used in some countries, including Australia and Belgium, to ensure high levels of participation in elections.

The idea behind compulsory voting is that it can lead to a more representative government. Here's how:

1. Higher Voter Turnout: Compulsory voting ensures a high voter turnout. This means that the elected officials are chosen by a larger percentage of the population, making the results more representative of the public's will.

2. Reduces Political Apathy: It can help to combat political apathy and disengagement. If people are required to vote, they are more likely to pay attention to political issues and to educate themselves about the candidates and their platforms.

3. Equality in Representation: It promotes equality in representation. In voluntary voting systems, certain groups (like the wealthy, the elderly, or the highly educated) are often more likely to vote than others. Compulsory voting ensures that all groups, regardless of their socio-economic status, have their voices heard.

4. Legitimacy of Government: A government elected with a high voter turnout has more legitimacy. It can claim to truly represent the people, as opposed to a government elected with low voter participation.

5. Reduces Influence of Money: It can reduce the influence of money in politics. In systems without compulsory voting, candidates often have to spend a lot of money on campaigns to persuade people to vote. With compulsory voting, this is less necessary.

In conclusion, compulsory voting can help to create a more representative government by ensuring high voter turnout, reducing political apathy, promoting equality, increasing the legitimacy of the government, and reducing the influence of money in politics.