Free to vote. Free to consume? A critical approach to voluntary voting in Chile

Abstract

In the context of the cultural, political and economic of late capitalism and the growing discontent with the Chilean political-economic system that is expressed in the low turnout of young people, one wonders what would be the theoretical and practical objections of voluntary voting, law enacted by the government of President Sebastian Pinera and seeks "revitalize democracy" from increased voter. This article then moves on three guidelines through three questions: ¿What should revitalize democracy? ¿What is freedom invoked to revitalize what democracy? What danger is looming before approval? No conclusions tempted to close the problem identified, the argument about the catastrophic potential posed voluntary voting in Chile, as well as the defense of compulsory voting. In short, according to the operative analytical Claude Lefort, defends the right to vote as the political potential within the institutional framework.