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Home / A Culture of Disenfranchisement How American Slavery Continues to Affect Voting Behavior

A Culture of Disenfranchisement How American Slavery Continues to Affect Voting Behavior

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Abstract

This paper examines the contemporary ethical issues surrounding voting rights of three disenfranchised groups in the U.S.: convicted felons, the homeless, and immigrants. Even in modern countries like the U.S., voting and other forms of political participation are skewed toward the elite, those with higher incomes, those who are employed, and those with more education. Low voter turnout presents serious challenges to democratic responsiveness, or the ability of leaders to respond to the needs and demands of citizens. Hence, voting should be encouraged in accord with the common interest. An important conclusion is that allowing all citizens – irrespective of their status – to vote would give them a voice in the context of governance. This notion is also associated with distributive justice, a philosophical concept that concentrates on just outcomes and consequences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Central Florida, UCF-Sanford/Lake Mary, 100 Weldon Blvd., Partnership Center (#3009), Sanford, FL, 32773, USA

    Terrance Ruth, Jonathan Matusitz & Demi Simi

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan Matusitz.

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Cite this article

Ruth, T., Matusitz, J. & Simi, D. Ethics of Disenfranchisement and Voting Rights in the U.S.:Convicted Felons, the Homeless, and Immigrants. Am J Crim Just 42, 56–68 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-016-9346-6

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  • DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-016-9346-6

Keywords

  • Disenfranchisement
  • Distributive justice
  • Felons
  • General will
  • Homeless
  • Immigrants
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau
  • United States
  • Voting rights

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