Julia Maskivker, "The Duty to Vote" (Oxford UP, 2019)
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Hi everyone, this is Marshall Poe. I'm the founder of the New Books Network, and I'm also a historian. I used to be a history professor, and I love maps. So I'm especially happy to tell you that this episode is sponsored by What's Your Map, which was the winner of the best education podcast at the 2025 British Podcast Awards. What's Your Map is hosted by historian and prize-winning author, Professor Jerry Broughton. In each episode, he invites a guest to share. A map close to their heart and unfurl the ideas, inspirations, and stories behind it. I can tell you I've listened and it's fascinating. The podcast is in its sixth series and is enjoyed by audiences around the globe. You can explore all the maps in the podcast at occulehyphenmundi.com while you listen.
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Hello, thanks for joining us for this episode of New Books and Philosophy, which is part of the New Books Network. I'm Robert Talise, I'm professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University. I co host the program with Carrie Figder, Alexis McLeod, and Sarah Tyson. My guest today is Julia Maskefkar. Julia is associate professor of political science at Rollins College. She specializes in political theory. Focusing on topics in distributive justice and democracy. Her new book is titled The Duty to Vote. It's just been published with Oxford University Press. Now, when we're asked what democracy is Many of us instantly think of elections and thus voting. However, we're also prone to regard voting as a right. That is something which citizens may decide to do.
Or not? Although we tend to see voting as central to democracy, we also th we also think that although voting is a commendable thing that one might choose to do. One's not morally blameworthy, at least not in any strong sense, for opting not to vote. In fact, among political theorists and some political philosophers. Voting tends to be regarded as irrational, reckless. Or worse. Some have even suggested that low voter turnout is a signal of the health of a democratic society. Now in her new book, Julia Maskovgerb. pushes against these tendencies. She makes a case for thinking that voting is an obligation. Rooted in a Samaritan duty, there's a lot to talk about. But let's begin as we normally do with our guest.
Hello, Julia. Hi Bob. How are you doing today?
I'm great, thank you.
Oh well thank you for thank you for appearing on on the program. So why don't you start us off by telling us a little bit about yourself?
All right. Well, I'm a little bit of a of an interesting case. I'm a political theorist from Argentina in South America. Who's been living in this country for nearly sixteen years, came all the way from Buenos Aires to start my PhD at Columbia University, New York and Stayed. Um Um And and I think uh being from Argentina, my my nationality played a huge role in explaining Or understanding how I got interested. Or became interested in voting. And democracy more generally from a theoretical or normative perspective. Um, I don't know if you're aware of this, but Argentina has uh compulsory vote.
Yes.
It is legally obligatory for Argentine citizens to cast a ballot to in All elections, midterm elections and presidential elections. Um Um there's a fine If one doesn't uh fulfill this duty. Oh. It's not a huge sanction on the part of the state. One doesn't go to jail or anything like that. But Um i it it is viewed uh voting is viewed as a civic duty that is enforced by law. Um and when I came to this country fifteen years ago.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the purpose of the episode and who are the hosts and sponsors?
0:00–5:26
2
How does Julia Maskivker introduce her background and the concept of voting as a duty?
5:26–18:55
3
Why does Argentina’s compulsory‑vote system matter for the book’s argument?
18:55–46:36
4
What is the “libertarian challenge” to the duty to vote and who are its main proponents?
46:36–1:03:41
Speakers
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