Why Political Philosophy Should Guide Your Vote

As we edge closer to another pivotal election, our feeds are flooded with debates, ads, and headlines pushing us in every direction. While it’s easy to get caught up in the swirl of news and social media, perhaps we’d benefit from zooming out — to consider not just who we’re voting for but why we vote the way we do. Political philosophy offers a timeless lens for this, guiding us through questions of justice, governance, and our role as citizens.

A Brief Tour Through Political Thought

In the sprawling world of political philosophy, we find thinkers as diverse as Plato, Locke, and Rousseau, each grappling with fundamental questions of how we should organize ourselves in society.

Plato’s “Republic” presents the ideal of a philosopher-king, a ruler guided by wisdom rather than power. Plato’s world emphasized that justice in a state mirrors justice in an individual, arguing that harmony, rather than pure freedom, is the ultimate goal. Today’s theory might sound out of place in democracies, but it raises an enduring question: Should wisdom or popularity determine leadership?

Moving forward, we find John Locke, whose ideas resonate strongly in democracies worldwide. Locke’s “Second Treatise of Government” laid out principles of governance that stressed the protection of life, liberty, and property. He was among the first to articulate a social contract theory, where the legitimacy of rulers hinges on the consent of the governed — a principle foundational to democratic societies like the U.S. In a season of elections, Locke’s ideas demand that we consider not just policies but the legitimacy of those who govern. Are our leaders adhering to a social contract that respects our freedoms?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau further suggested that true freedom exists when we govern ourselves through a “general will” — a collective conscience representing the common good. Rousseau’s philosophy raises a key question relevant to every voter: Are we voting for policies that serve the public good, or are we serving narrow interests?

Philosophy in Modern Politics: Why it Matters Today

What do ancient philosophies do with our modern, often messy political landscape? Quite a bit, it turns out. Political philosophy allows us to think beyond surface-level arguments and probe into the principles that should ideally underlie governance. Take, for example, debates around freedom of speech — a hot-button issue in every election. Here, John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty” remains relevant. Mill argued that a society must protect even unpopular opinions because diversity of thought fosters progress.

In practice, we see freedom of speech pitted against the harms of misinformation and hate speech. While Mill champions open discourse, political theorists like Karl Popper caution against an unchecked “paradox of tolerance” — the idea that tolerance must sometimes be limited to protect society from self-destruction (Popper, 1945). This balance becomes essential in today’s era of social media, where voices of all types gain visibility, raising questions about where freedom ends, and accountability begins.

Similarly, economic justice remains a pressing issue, with philosophers like John Rawls reshaping our approach to fairness. In “A Theory of Justice” (1971), Rawls suggests a “veil of ignorance” test, imagining a society where decisions are made without knowing one’s social position. This framework prompts us to consider policies that benefit the least advantaged, posing a challenge to the growing wealth gap in many democracies.

Navigating Political Polarization with Philosophy

One of the most significant challenges in today’s politics is polarization, the feeling that we’re locked in a game of “us vs. them.” However, political philosophy encourages a more nuanced view. Aristotle argued that politics is an inherently social enterprise, where the aim should be to foster community and collective well-being rather than division.

In contemporary politics, we might see echoes of this in deliberative democracy — a concept where citizens engage in discussions across divides to find common ground. Philosopher Jürgen Habermas championed this model, emphasizing the importance of communicative rationality, where dialogue rather than coercion or manipulation leads to consensus. This approach, though challenging, might be our best hope for navigating the polarized climates of modern democracies (Habermas, 1984).

Philosophy shows that polarization is not a new phenomenon but part of the democratic process. As we prepare to vote, it’s worth asking ourselves if our choices foster dialogue or deepen division.

Bringing Political Philosophy into the Voting Booth

Voting is an expression of our values but can also be guided by principles that extend beyond personal interests. Here are some ways to bring a philosophical lens to your vote:

1. Think About the Social Contract: Are you voting for candidates who respect democratic norms and the rule of law? Locke’s social contract theory reminds us that legitimate governance is built on mutual respect between citizens and leaders.
2. Weigh the Common Good vs. Individual Gain: Rousseau’s general will ask us to consider policies that benefit society rather than just ourselves. This doesn’t mean ignoring personal needs but balancing them with the collective welfare.
3. Engage with Opposing Ideas: In line with Mill’s views on open discourse, try to understand perspectives you disagree with. True engagement can lead to a more balanced society where ideas are tested, debated, and refined.
4. Evaluate Fairness Through a Veil of Ignorance: Rawls’s concept of fairness suggests considering policies from a position of neutrality. Would the policies you support still seem fair if you didn’t know your status?

Conclusion: Voting with Wisdom

In times of political tension and rapid change, grounding ourselves in the wisdom of political philosophy can offer a steady compass. Philosophy doesn’t necessarily give us answers but asks questions that lead to deeper insights. When we consider our role in a social contract, our responsibilities to one another, and the balance of personal freedom with the common good, we find that voting becomes more than a duty — it becomes an act of thoughtful engagement with the world.

In the words of Aristotle, “The good citizen… is he who can rule and be ruled.” This election, let’s be good citizens who vote and bring a thoughtful, philosophical approach to our choices. The health of our democracy may very well depend on it.

Works Cited

Habermas, Jürgen. The Theory of Communicative Action. Boston: Beacon Press, 1984.

Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. 1689.

Mill, John Stuart. On Liberty. London: John W. Parker and Son, 1859.

Plato. The Republic. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. 380 B.C.E.

Popper, Karl. The Open Society and Its Enemies. London: Routledge, 1945.

Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971.

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract. 1762.