I think you’ve all made some interesting conclusions. I think it’s great to talk about these things because they really control our lives.
First of all, politicians are representatives of our will. Or at least they should be. It’s hard not to notice how their pre voting promises always end up in smoke. Oh, where’s the big improvement you’ve been promising for years? It’s still not there. You see, we shouldn’t expect a lot from politicians. Even though they are representatives, the whole world is led by just a few persons. It always was, really.
So, we shouldn’t get too cynical about voting. It’s still our right and not our duty. Of course a lot of people will still vote because they seem to identify with some ideology, not with the person representing it. And that’s a huge problem really. A lot of people vote just because others tell them to. It’s obvious in large families, it’s like a peer pressure of some sort. And that’s the sole reason why political parties get so many votes. People vote just ’cause they like the shirt that guy is wearing or because of the big smile and promises on print ads. Hope as such is always a good manipulator when it comes to politics. People are always in some sort of sh*t. So they long for hope, and there’s nothing wrong with that really. You always need hope to get through life.
So, if you wanted to take Doctor Vee’s view, there’s nothing wrong with that I think. If you can’t identify with some sort of ideology that you feel isn’t proper, you shouldn’t. It’s against your own will. And you should always stick by your own principles.

However, I’m not totally sure if a person can have a lot of influence on others if he/she doesn’t vote. If you don’t vote you’re no different from others who didn’t vote also. Of course, there’s the power of internet and blogging, which is ok, but – I think – is of little influence. Of course a person reading this blog will maybe see voting process and politics’ disilussion in a different light, but that’s about it. You can’t change the world alone…I think a web society of some sort or maybe just a website (similar to myspace or facebook) could have a lot of followers, because we all seem disillusioned sometimes.
But who knows what the future holds. If anything, we should still feel quite lucky to be living in a democracy (with all its faults) ’cause it’s still a hundred times better than living in totalitarianism!

Australias model is good I think. You have to vote and they have some kind of transferable system, so your vote goes to somebody you have indicated a preference for. Of course you can still abstain by spoiling your ballot or not voting and paying a small fine.

As for abstention meaning ‘none of the above’ as you suggest, in that case none of the above has in fact had a majority vote several times before. Notably in local elections of course, where ‘none of the above’ almost always wins, but also in the Scottish Parliament elections in 2003. No power vacuums or re-elections result, but hopefully it is enough to give politicians food for thought.

Re abstention as protest; I don’t admit to knowing much about its effectiveness but the problem with abstention is that – in the event of a majority vote for ‘None of the above’ (unlikely, but it would have to be considered a risk) then what – endless follow up elections and/or by-elections until a candidate actually wins a majority?

Anyway, as someone else mentioned upthread the best way to effect change is within. Run for local council – god knows Fife could do with some fresh thinking