Élysée 2022 by Sciences Po Alumni | L'abstention, par Anne Muxel

Summary

The script discusses the growing trend of abstention in French elections as a symptom of a political representation crisis. It highlights significant spikes in abstention, notably in 1969 and 2002, and notes a reduction in abstention during the 2007 election. However, abstention rates have been rising again since 2010 and 2012. The reasons for abstention are varied, including geographical mobility, the need to register well in advance, and the absence of vote by mail. The script suggests that voting is increasingly seen as a right to be claimed rather than a duty to be fulfilled. It also points out that young people and urban dwellers are more likely to abstain, possibly due to a lack of connection with the political establishment. The script concludes by considering whether intermittent abstention could be a sign of democratic vigilance and a political statement, rather than just a lack of participation.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ Abstention has been a growing symptom of a political representation crisis in France for about thirty years.
• 📊 There have been significant peaks in abstention during the Fifth Republic, notably in 1969 and 2002, with the latter marking a seismic electoral event.
• 🎯 In 2002, Jacques Chirac received 20% of the votes, and Jean Marie Le Pen was a surprise second with 17%, against a backdrop of over 28% abstention.
• 🔄 After the 2007 election, which brought a new electoral landscape, there was a noticeable decrease in abstention and a return to a strong participation in voting.
• 📈 However, from 2012 onwards, abstention rates started to rise again, with one in five registered voters not participating.
• 🧩 The reasons for abstention are varied, often referred to as the 'puzzle of electoral participation', including geographical mobility and the necessity to register well in advance.
• 🏆 Voting is becoming less of a duty and more of a claimed right, including the right not to vote, which requires voters to believe their vote will make a difference.
• 👥 There are demographic differences among abstentionists, with more abstention among the young and in urban areas, and less in rural small towns and villages.
• 👶 The period of youth is described as an 'electoral moratorium', a time of not yet being integrated into social and professional life, often marked by distrust in political representation.
• 🔄 The renewal of generations suggests that abstention will become an integral part of democratic practices and may increasingly be a feature of young generations' political behavior.
• 🤔 While low voter turnout can pose a problem for the legitimacy of election results, an optimistic interpretation views intermittent abstention as a sign of democratic vigilance and a political expression tool.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script regarding French politics?

The script discusses the growing issue of abstention in French politics, which is seen as a symptom of a crisis in political representation.

How has abstention evolved under the Fifth Republic in France?

Abstention has increased under the Fifth Republic, with significant peaks in 1969 due to the left not being represented, and in 2002 when Jacques Chirac received 20% of the votes and Jean Marie Le Pen 17%, with over 28% abstention.

What was the impact of the 2007 election on voter participation?

The 2007 election led to a noticeable reduction in abstention and a return to the traditional right-left political duel, which was seen as a return to strong voter participation.

Why did abstention rates start to rise again from 2012?

Abstention rates started to rise again from 2012 due to various reasons, including a crisis in political representation and a shift in voter behavior towards viewing voting as a right that can be exercised selectively.

What are some of the logistical reasons for abstention mentioned in the script?

Logistical reasons for abstention include geographical mobility, the need to register well in advance on electoral lists, and the absence of vote by correspondence.

How does the script describe the changing perception of voting among the French electorate?

The script describes a shift where voting is less of a duty and more of a claimed right, with the electorate believing they have the right to choose not to vote if they feel their vote will not make a difference.

What demographic differences are noted among abstentionists in France?

The script notes that there are more abstentionists among the young, in urban areas, and in large cities, with less abstention in rural areas and small villages where social control and inter-recognition promote participation.

What term is used in the script to describe the period of youth where individuals are not yet integrated into social and professional life?

The script uses the term 'moratorium electoral des années de jeunesse' to describe this period of youth where there is a strong defiance towards political representation.

How does the script suggest abstention may evolve in the future of French democracy?

The script suggests that abstention will become an integral part of democratic practices, potentially becoming more marked as it is driven by future citizens, the younger generations.

What are the potential implications of intermittent abstention for the legitimacy of election results?

The script raises the issue that intermittent abstention, if it leads to elections with very low participation, poses a problem for the legitimacy of the election results.

What is the more optimistic interpretation of intermittent abstention presented in the script?

The script presents a more optimistic interpretation of intermittent abstention as a sign of democratic vigilance and as a political expression tool among others that citizens can use.