Question

1. what is the central theme and the authors purpose in the text below? how does the author develop and communicate this theme and purpose? give specific evidence from the text to support your answer. (10 points). in our current system of voluntary voting, the winner of an election is determined by the candidates ability to create controversy rather than by leadership skill. campaigns therefore focus on highly motivated voters. these also tend to be the most partisan. this constant appeal to extremes on both sides of the political spectrum abandons voters in the middle. in turn, these moderates opt out on election day, since none of the candidates seem to be speaking to their concerns. compulsory voting would offer candidates less incentive to inflame passions (ornstein, galston). without having to spend so much of their time trying to appeal solely to the highly partisan voters most likely to show up at the polls, they could instead spend more time crafting policy proposals to meet the needs of all voters. fewer highly partisan lawmakers would mean more cooperation and less unnecessary government gridlock.

Explanation:

The central theme is the problem with voluntary - voting system and the potential benefits of compulsory voting. The author's purpose is to advocate for compulsory voting. The author develops this by first highlighting how voluntary voting leads to candidates focusing on partisan voters, abandoning moderates and causing gridlock. Then, it presents compulsory voting as a solution that would encourage candidates to focus on all voters and reduce partisan gridlock. Evidence includes statements about candidates' current focus on highly - motivated (partisan) voters, moderates opting out, and the potential for more policy - crafting and cooperation with compulsory voting.

Answer:

The central theme is the flaws of the voluntary - voting system and the advantages of compulsory voting. The author's purpose is to promote the idea of compulsory voting. The author develops this by showing the negative impacts of voluntary voting on candidate behavior and voter participation, and then presenting the positive outcomes of compulsory voting.