Individualism: Quotation

"I don't envisage collectivism. There is no such animal, it is always individualism, sometimes the rest vote and sometimes they do not, and if they do they do and if they do not they do not."  (Gertrude Stein)

     I found this quote particularly relevant to every Canadian federal election for the past few years. The media has reported the number of voters who actually participate in this process is dropping faster and faster every year. I chose this quote because, in my opinion, Gertrude Stein understands that individualism encourages members of the society that wish to vote, to vote; and allows the less willing (and/or the ignorant) to not vote if they so choose. In this way, the individuals who do vote are probably well aware of their own values and ideologies, and are well informed so that their vote is the most representative of who they are, and what they wish the future would hold. This quote is also pleasant as it addresses individual freedoms as well; the freedom to participate if that's the individual choice. Making certain things, such as voting, compulsory may increase the number of voters at the polls; but will also increase misinformed, on the spur choices as a result. If that were the case, the intention may not result in the best outcomes. Therefore, in the same scenario, allowing individuals the right to choose whether or not they would participate is benefiting the society more than taking away that right (and thus making it compulsory) would.