Disenfranchising the elderly : a political investigation into voting and democracy

Abstract

This paper investigates the possibility of removing the enfranchisement of the elderly population in an attempt to create a viable and fairer outcome in political elections. Universal enfranchisement is a relatively recent endeavour, even in the West, and should not be taken for granted. While it is of utmost importance to strive for political fairness and equality, it is essential to avoid creating a discourse which would include a large portion of the population, especially those who fought, tirelessly and courageously, to achieve such fundamental rights. In this paper, I will give a historical review of enfranchisement before delving into why disenfranchising the elderly would not result in a fairer outcome nor a viable solution in the long term, through the lenses of justice and equality.