Civic Responsibility

Pillar 5: Participation of Citizens

Media description: Molly, in a scene from the movie Swing Vote (Touchstone Pictures, 2008) tells her dad, Bud, that voting is his civic responsibility.

MEDIA CONTEXT
The Touchstone Pictures movie Swing Vote (2008) is the story of how Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) and his 12 year old daughter Molly (Madeline Carrol) get swept into a personal political campaign, the outcome of which has potential global consequences. Bud’s vote will decide who will become the next US president. But in the scene shown it is clear Bud, a ‘no hoper’ living in a trailer park in the US state of New Mexico, has no interest in politics at all let alone in voting for a man he knows nothing about. This fact is a great disappointment to conscientious Molly who declares passionately that it is Bud’s “civic responsibility” to cast a vote.

MEDIA CRITIQUE
The character Bud Johnson is depicted in Swing Vote as a man with no ambition, no interest and no clue. Is the portrayal of this character an example of the typical attitude of low income earners in America? Or, is it an over dramatisation? Molly seems exasperated by her screen dad’s lack of regard for his responsibility to contribute to their democratic society. Given her age, her reaction is a little surprising. Would the story have appeared more plausible if Molly’s character – being so knowledgeable and passionate about politics – had been older?

ANALYSIS & REVIEW

1. Voting is considered in many countries to be a “civic responsibility”. In some it is also a civic duty. Discuss the difference.
2. How can voting at Federal, State and Local elections contribute to Australian Democracy? How else could you influence positive change?

THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION & AUSTRALIA TODAY
In the USA, as in Swing Vote, voting is voluntary (which explains why the Swing Vote politicians rallied so hard to get Bud’s vote). In Australia voting is compulsory. This wasn’t always so. Compulsory voting came into effect in 1924 largely because few eligible people had cast a vote in the previous election. Some say that compulsion is necessary in order to achieve a significant representation. Others believe compulsory voting is undemocratic and results in increased numbers of invalid or uninformed votes. What do you think? Is compusory voting in Australia constitutional?

PERSONAL APPLICATION
Find out how to register to vote in Australia and set a goal to register as soon as you are eligible. Citizens 16 years and older may enrol, but may not vote until 18 years of age. Search for information about politicians, parties and their policies so you can make an informed decision when you do vote.

AUSCIVICS FILM & TV SERIES LINKED TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Learning areas and/or outcomes relating to the questions and issues above have been identified for each state and territory in the following links*: