Tournament: Greenhill | Round: 2 | Opponent: Peninsula AT | Judge: Jane Boyd
I affirm: Resolved: In a Democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.
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The value for today’s round is empowerment. This is because the chief function of a democracy is to empower individuals, not protect their autonomy. The aff only has to defend why compulsory voting best achieves the function of a democracy. This means that each individual has the institutional means by which they can participate effectively in the decisions that affect them. This allows for democracies to make just distributions of resources as opposed to misrepresenting the desires of its constituents.

Young 1990 ~Iris Marion. Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Center for Gender Studies and the Human Rights program @ UChicago. Justice and the Politics of Difference, published by Princeton University Press in 1990. pp. 251-6~
The writers I have referred to call for decentralization and local autonomy as a means
AND
standpoints from which to criticize the given, and inspiration for imagining alternatives.
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The standard for today’s round is increasing democratic participation. It is the best metric for the round because it is key for the development and exercise of human capacities. This avoids the tyranny of the majority and allows for a fair allocation of resources in a just manner.
Young 1990 ~Iris Marion. Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Center for Gender Studies and the Human Rights program @ UChicago. Justice and the Politics of Difference, published by Princeton University Press in 1990. pp. 92-93~

As an element of justice that minimizes domination, democracy has both instrumental and intrinsic
AND
it maximizes the social knowledge and perspectives that contribute to reasoning about policy.
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Furthermore, participatory democracy allows for political representation and  assures procedural fairness, allows for voices of both the oppressed as well as the privileged to be heard which empowers them.

Young 1990 ~Iris Marion. Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Center for Gender Studies and the Human Rights program @ UChicago. Justice and the Politics of Difference, published by Princeton University Press in 1990 pp. 184- 8~

Specific representation for oppressed groups in the decisionmaking procedures of a democratic public promotes justice
AND
, and might make it more difficult for other groups to be represented. 

The aff, then, must prove why compulsory voting increases participatory democracy.

Contention 1: Compulsory voting increases voting turnout.

Subpoint a: Voting turnout is low now.

VOTER TURNOUT IS AND WILL REMAIN LOW====
Sean Matsler, Attorney, 2003, and#34;Compulsory Voting in America,and#34; Southern California Law Review, 76 S. Cal. L. Rev. 953, May, p. 954
Voter turnout has been inching downward at an inconsistent clip since 1960, when 62
AND
suggest a turnout of even 60, or three in five eligible voters.

LOW VOTER TURNOUT IS A SERIOUS AND GROWING PROBLEM
Arend Lijphart, University of California @ San Diego, 1997, and#34;Unequal Participation: Democracy’s Unresolved Dilemma,and#34; The American Political Science Review, Vol. 91 (1), March, p. 1
Low voter turnout is a serious democratic problem for five reasons: (1)
AND
voting. Its advantages far outweigh the normative and practical objections to it.. 

Subpoint B: Compuslory voting solves for low voter turnouts.

AUSTRALIA DEMONSTRATES THAT COMPULSORY VOTING INCREASES TURNOUT

Scott Bennett, Parliament of Australia, 2005, Compulsory voting in Australian national elections, Parliamentary Library-Research Brief, October, No. 6, ~http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/06SH6/upload_binary/06sh63.pdf;fileType=application2Fpdf~~23search=22library/prspub/06SH622~~, p. 1
Academic analysis shows that compulsory voting is likely to produce a high turnout of voters
AND
in recent elections such countries have actually experienced a marked decline in turnout. 

COMPULSORY VOTING LAWS INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT

Alberto Chong 26 Mauricio Olivera, Inter-American Development Bank 26 George Mason University, 2006, and#34;On Compulsory Voting and Income Inequality in a Cross-Section of Countries,and#34; Inter-American Development Bank Working Paper ~23533, May, ~http://www.iadb.org/res/publications/pubfiles/pubWP-533.pdf~~, p. 10-1
While universal franchise was adopted in many democracies by the end of the nineteenth century
AND
enforcement, the number falls to 83 percent and 73 percent, respectively.

COMPULSORY VOTING LAWS INCREASE TURNOUT

Harvard Law Review, 2007, and#34;The Case for Compulsory Voting in the United States,and#34; 121 Harv. L. Rev. 591, p. 592
One solution to the problem of low voter turnout is to require all eligible voters
AND
voter turnout than many of the countries that have already adopted compulsory voting.

COMPULSORY VOTING IMPROVES SYSTEM BY INCREASING TURNOUT

Harvard Law Review, 2007, and#34;The Case for Compulsory Voting in the United States,and#34; 121 Harv. L. Rev. 591, p. 596
The most obvious benefit of compulsory voting is that it would lead to higher voter
AND
actually change electoral and policy outcomes in ways that better reflect aggregate preferences.

Tournament: Greenhill Classic | Round: 4 | Opponent: Harvard-Westlake TC | Judge: Jennifer Melin

*Democracy 1AC*

I affirm the resolution:
"In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory."

Limits

Ought is defined as "expectation" or "logical" ~Merriam-Webster~. In context of the resolution, this means that the definition of democracy within this debate round dictates which side wins based on a logical pattern of thinking and how their case meets the burdens of the resolution text.

The Venus Project Foundation defines democracy as…

~The Venus Project Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt art and educational organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. http://www.venusproject.org/keywords/definition-of-true-democracy.html~~

Democracy is a dynamic participatory means of governance. Democracy is a dynamic set of
AND
government are dedicated and watchful investigative journalist and informed vigilant citizens / voters.

Compulsory is defined as "mandatory" or "obligatory" ~Merriam-Webster~.

Framework

There are two levels to the affirmative framing:

One: When evaluating democracies with compulsory voting, we should utilize the standard of upholding direct democracy, which is the only way to affirm the burdens placed by the wording of the resolution and ensure all the benefits advocated in the 1AC.

Participation is the keystone of a democracy’s foundation; furthermore, citizens must remain active in public life and informed in the field of politics

Stanford University ’04 ~"What Is Democracy?", Lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies: The Role of Citizens In a Democracy, Jan 21, 2004, Accessed Aug 29, 2013, http://www.stanford.edu/~~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm~~.

The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life.¶
AND
law, and tolerant of the different views of other groups and individuals.

We must use direct democracy as our perspective into the topic as it is the best form of democracy for the round:

Direct democracy is growing in popularity and functions as the best form of democracy in terms or success and efficiency – most ideal viewpoint of democracy

John G. Matsusaka, ~University of Southern California, Forthcoming in Encyclopedia of Public Choice, edited by C.K. Rowley and F. Schneider, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Accessed Sep 6, 2013, http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~~matsusak/Papers/Matsusaka_DD_PC_Encyclopedia.pdf~~

"Direct Democracy" is an umbrella term for a variety of decision processes by
AND
more efficient, as well as more democratic, than the representative sort."

AND, the term "ought" from the resolution does not rely on winning the arguments justifying compulsory voting to win the round. All that is necessary for the aff to win are the limits placed on the term "democracy" by the 1AC, warranting why voting OUGHT to be compulsory under that context, but not necessarily why compulsory voting is good.

Citizens duty to turnout based on respect for the system that produced the law — not the merits of the arguments for compulsion

Dean Machin, University of Warwick, 2011, "Compulsory Turnout: A Compelling (and Contingent) Case," Politics, Vol. 31 (2), p. 105
The central point is that while the basis of the law compelling turnout is the
AND
, then, is not ’parasitic’ on the case for compulsory voting.

Contentions

I. Status quo

 Low voter turnout expresses the need for a compulsory voting system===

Low Turnout Undermines Democratic Legitimacy -General Apathy

Low turnout threatens system legitimacy/demonstrates apathy

T. S. Krishna Murthy, Chief Election Commissioner of India, 2012, "The Relevance of Voting Rights in Modern Democracy," Wake Forest Journal of Law 26 Policy, 2 Wake Forest J. L. 26 Pol’y 337, p. 344
The quality of a modern representative democracy, especially among the emerging democracies, depends
AND
and "negative voting" which can effectively tackle voter indifference and apathy.

Voter turnout in us/other democracies in long term decline

Jason Marisam, Post-Graduate Research Fellow-Harvard Law School, 2009, "Voter Turnout: From Cost to Cooperation," St. Thomas Law Review, Winter, 21 St. Thomas L. Rev. 190, p. 192-3
First, I will present the facts. Voter turnout has fallen significantly during the
AND
goal is sustained, high turnout nationally among all demographic groups should increase.

The solution to this issue lies in mandating voting to have full participation and adhere to a true democracy – empirical studies have proven this:

Australia demonstrates that compulsory voting increases turnout

Scott Bennett, Parliament of Australia, 2005, Compulsory voting in Australian national elections, Parliamentary Library-Research Brief, October, No. 6, ~http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/06SH6/upload_binary/06sh63.pdf;fileType=application2Fpdf~~23search=22library/prspub/06SH622~~, p. 1
Academic analysis shows that compulsory voting is likely to produce a high turnout of voters
AND
in recent elections such countries have actually experienced a marked decline in turnout. 

Compulsory voting laws increase turnout

Harvard Law Review, 2007, "The Case for Compulsory Voting in the United States," 121 Harv. L. Rev. 591, p. 592
One solution to the problem of low voter turnout is to require all eligible voters
AND
voter turnout than many of the countries that have already adopted compulsory voting.

Impact: Low voter-turnout rates are essential to address in our democracy as
AND
in politics results in a weak government and potentially the fall of democracy.

II. Compulsory voting improves upon democracy

Compulsory voting improves democratic system in many ways

Harvard Law Review, 2007, "The Case for Compulsory Voting in the United States," 121 Harv. L. Rev. 591, p. 596-7
In addition to the direct effect of compulsory voting on turnout, there are also
AND
changes involve their substantive policy positions or the means of communicating those positions.

Compulsion improves democracy both quantitatively and qualitatively

Dean Machin, University of Warwick, 2011, "Compulsory Turnout: A Compelling (and Contingent) Case," Politics, Vol. 31 (2), p. 103
Compulsion may cause political parties to broaden their appeal to citizens who previously were ignored
AND
and preferences of a broader section of a polity’s (eligible) voters.

Impact: Compulsory voting would reform the many flaws with the current system, such
AND
important because it establishes a fairer, more encompassing democracy of the people.

Whilst the 1AC advocates that compulsory voting betters democracy, it is important to foremost recognize the merits of democracy:

Democracy is the best form of government – multiple reasons

- holds rulers accountable to the people
- institutions prevent abusive rule and corruption
- guarantees human rights   
- stimulates political competition that generates higher quality officials
McFaul 10 (Michael McFaul, Hoover Senior Fellow, professor of polisci and director of the Center on Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law at Stanford and nonresident associate at Carnegie, "Advancing Democracy Abroad," p.  35-37)
First and foremost, democracy provides the best institutional arrangement for holding rulers accountable to
AND
carnage through war, he murdered six million Jews and millions more poles,
gypsies, and others in his concentration camps. In China, Mao may have
AND
autocracies produces complacency, corruption, and no mechanism for generating new talent. 

Democracy is the best system of governance – solves war, terrorism, and economic growth

Mitchell and Phillips 8 (Lincoln A. Mitchell, Assistant Professor in the Practice of International Politics at Columbia’s School of International and Political Affairs, and David L. Phillips, project director of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, "Enhancing Democracy Assistance," January 2008, http://www.acus.org/files/publication_pdfs/65/Enhancing20Democracy20Assistance.pdf)
Democracy is both a reflection of American values and in America’s strategic interests. Democracies
AND
governance creates conditions for individuals to fulfill their potential and live better lives.