Why universal franchise matters

In 1947 India's literacy rate was only about 14 per cent, and about 8 per cent among women. So some people argued that only literate people should vote. The Constitution makers chose universal franchise anyway, showing, in Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar's words, "an abundant faith in the common man".

The chapter gives five reasons why universal franchise matters, and each answers a different question about power.

First, the power to decide one's own future. People decide what kind of future they want, and who can best represent them.

Second, everyone is equal. There is no discrimination based on caste, creed, sex, education or wealth.

Third, everyone's voice matters. All can take part in deciding the nation's future, not only those with property or learning.

Fourth, and the sharpest: elected representatives are answerable to the voters, because people can vote them out at the next election.

Notice this reason is about what happens after an election. The vote is not only a way to choose; it is a way to remove. A representative who knows they can be dismissed behaves differently from one who cannot.

Fifth, it fosters civic engagement: it encourages people to take part in solving problems in their own area, instead of waiting for someone above them to act. (The chapter's mindmap leaves two boxes empty on purpose, for reasons of your own.)