{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.01606805293005671, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 6.10738255033557, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
How Compulsory Voting Affects Individuals

This first theoretical chapter develops an expectation that individuals with negative orientations toward democracy are less likely to support compulsory voting. With reference to existing theory about the psychological, attitudinal, and behavioral effects of coercion, the chapter then puts forth expectations about how compulsory voting will amplify the relationships between orientations toward democracy and support for political authorities, support for outsider or extremist parties, and political sophistication. The chapter argues that negative orientations are more likely to be predictive of “antidemocratic” attitudes and behaviors, as well as a lack of political sophistication, where reluctant individuals are compelled to vote. At the same time, the chapter advances the expectation that pro-democratic orientations are more likely to boost attitudinal and behavioral support for the democratic system and its authorities, as well as to engender higher political sophistication, under mandatory rules.