Why Do Some Libertarians Prefer to Not Vote?

It is often misconceived that all libertarians are eager participants in the democratic process and enthusiastic voters. This is far from the truth. Some libertarians choose not to vote for a multitude of reasons, including a belief that the system is inherently flawed, a preference for voluntary action over institutional participation, and a view that voting does not necessarily bring about meaningful change.

Rejection of the Broken System

One of the primary reasons some libertarians abstain from voting is their perception of the political system as fundamentally broken and corrupt. From their perspective, engaging in the electoral process would be a form of legitimization, thereby endorsing the very mechanisms they believe need to be reformed or collapsed.

There is a school of thought among these libertarians that a complete collapse followed by a rebuild might be the most beneficial approach. History, after all, shows that empires, regardless of their form of governance, eventually fall. Change and renewal are natural cycles.

Market Over Politics

For many libertarians, the impact of voting is not as significant as the impact of market actions. These individuals believe that systemic change can be more effectively achieved through the activities of the free market, such as supporting cryptocurrency, growing their own food, or engaging in decentralized resource management. These actions are considered more direct and impactful than electing new leaders.

Voluntarism

A major concept that influences some libertarians is voluntarism. Unlike the coercive nature of the current system, voluntarism relies on voluntary actions that individuals can choose to engage in. This could include everything from small-scale mutual aid to larger initiatives that promote peer-to-peer economic transactions. To these libertarians, the power of choice and voluntary action is far more potent than the power of the ballot.

The Electoral Farce

Another significant reason for a libertarian to not vote is their perception of the electoral process as a farce. In many countries, the electoral system is heavily manipulated through various methods such as gerrymandering and open primaries, which can skew the outcomes of elections in favor of the established parties. To these libertarians, voting is not merely an act of participation, but also an act of legitimizing this manipulation. Therefore, abstaining from voting becomes a form of protest against the rigged system.

Note: While many libertarians do abstain from voting, it is important to note that not all libertarians share this view. Many continue to vote by selecting only the candidates who best align with their views or by engaging in informed and strategic voting.

My personal position is that while one can respect the right to vote, it is indeed a minimal form of participation in democracy. Better alternatives include volunteering, contributing to grassroots movements, and promoting mechanisms of accountability and transparency that are more aligned with libertarian principles.