"For years, political scientists have told their students that it doesn't make a difference whether they vote because one vote won't make a difference. This book is antidote to that argument." - Richard Niemi, University of Rochester Marty Wattenberg's new book is a brilliant analysis of a big and growing problem in modern democracies; it is also an urgently needed wake-up call. How can we call ourselves a democracy if fewer and fewer people participate in elections and, in addition, if these voters are far from representative of the whole population? The author's recommendations for remedial action, including the adoption of mandatory voting, deserve the most serious consideration. - Arend Lijphart, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, "University of California - San Diego" This text is likely to become one of the seminal works on voting - readers of all levels cannot help but be impressed by the clarity and strength of Wattenberg's answer to why young people do not vote, and his solution will spur debate about the meanings of democracy, rights, and responsibilities. - Sean Matheson, "Knox"" College" This is first-rate scholarship. Wattenberg synthesizes the current scholarship in the field of voter turnout, and integrates competing theories in an accessible manner. Wattenberg's [book] makes an important contribution to our understanding of voter participation, while at the same time speaking directly to young people. - Miki Kittilson, "Arizona"" State University" This is a fine example of putting first rate social science research in the service of larger normative concerns. Not everyone will agree with Wattenberg's prescription, but his description of the disengagement of youngercitizens here and in other advanced democracies, his explanation for their disengagement, and his identification of the consequences of their disengagement are compelling. - Morris Fiorina, "Stanford"" University" Everyone who seeks to understand today's politics, and tomo

This accessible, provocative, and brief book explores the reasons why the young are less and less likely to follow politics and vote in the United States, as well as many other established democracies, and suggests ways of changing that.