I often spew my optimistic views on internet literacy and education for the masses but today I would like to take things one step further and chat about the vote.
I do not believe that everyone should be allowed to vote.
There is as vast a difference between an educated guess and an ignorant guess as there is between an educated decision and one without any circumstantial information.
Yet in SA, masses of poorly educated people get to decide the future of our nation by simply ticking the box of the loudest mouth with the most impressive diatribe.
The vote should be like a driver's license - something you have to achieve, earn or prove that you are competent to wield; and thus, when the time comes to make your mark, you are well informed and make your decision from a haven of perspective.
I do not have any post grad degrees, so this solution does not come from a misplaced sense of condescension over 'lesser' educated beings. It simply makes sense that something as important as who runs the nation should not be left in the hands of people who are not exposed to every option out there.
My solution?
The minimum requirement for the right to vote in South Africa should be a university degree.
With a system like that, I think we would be surprised at who got voted into power and further surprised at how people look at finishing their studies... The power to vote would be one heck of a carrot for those who care about their nation.
Heck... imagine the awesome new political parties that would spring up, the progressive ideas and innovative solutions that would be on offer to us...
You would have to work pretty hard to pull the wool over the eyes of people who had to qualify for that vote you are trying to get and they would hold you accountable in a lot more ways than the current free for all system!
I can only think of positive outcomes for a system like this, what are your thoughts?
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