We explain what suffrage is, its characteristics, and its function. We also explain the types of suffrage that exist and their importance.
What is suffrage?
Suffrage is the right of people to vote in elections to elect their representatives or to decide on important government matters. It is one of the pillars of democracy and constitutes one of the fundamental political rights of citizens.
The right to elect political representatives was not always accessible to everyone. In the oldest democratic systems, only certain groups, such as wealthy men or landowners, could vote. You must read about UNESCO once.
In the 19th century, social movements fought to extend this right to more men. However, for many years, women were excluded from the right to elect representatives. It was only in the 20th century that feminist movements succeeded in having women’s suffrage recognized as a fundamental right in different parts of the world.
Although universal suffrage is a reality in most countries today, in some places there are still restrictions that limit the participation of certain groups. Maybe you should definitely read about Cultural Minorities once.
Although sometimes used synonymously, “voting” and “suffrage” are terms with different meanings. Voting is the act of voting, of going to the polls and expressing a decision. Suffrage, on the other hand, is the right to vote, that is, the right to carry out that action. Therefore, voting is a concrete action, while suffrage is a citizen’s right.
Voting and Suffrage
KEY POINTS
- Suffrage is the right to vote in elections, which is fundamental to citizen participation in democracy.
- In most modern democracies, suffrage is free, universal, secret, personal, and equal.
- There are several types of suffrage, such as universal, restricted, compulsory, and voluntary.
- The history of suffrage reflects struggles for political rights from ancient Greece to the inclusion of women’s suffrage in the 20th century, with restrictions still in place in some parts of the world.
Characteristics of Suffrage
In modern democracy, suffrage is characterized by being:
- Free: It is exercised according to one’s own will and conscience.
- Universal: It has no restrictions based on gender, ethnic origin, or economic status. Limitations apply only to age and mental health.
- Secrecy: The secrecy of the right to vote ensures that people can vote without fear of reprisals or pressure from others.
- Personal: It is exercised directly; citizens cannot delegate their right to others.
- Equal: Each vote has the same value and is counted the same way as the rest. No vote is worth more than another.
What is the function of suffrage?
Suffrage serves the purpose of political participation, that is, it allows citizens to play a role in the governance of their states, through the election of political representatives, the approval of measures submitted to the people, or the nomination to assume a leadership role.
In this sense, a distinction is made between active suffrage, which is the right to elect representatives, and passive suffrage, which is the right to be elected as a political representative.
Types of Suffrage
Among the different types of suffrage are:
- Universal suffrage: All citizens of legal age and legally eligible to do so may participate in elections, without distinction of ethnic origin, creed, or gender.
- Restricted suffrage: Limitations are placed on access to the right to vote, based on criteria such as gender, wealth, ethnic origin, or social status.
- Compulsory suffrage: Suffrage is both a right and an obligation; Citizens have a duty to vote in elections.
- Voluntary suffrage: Suffrage is a right, but not an obligation; citizens can choose whether or not to vote in elections.
- Census-based suffrage: This is a subtype of restricted suffrage in which limitations are established based on citizens’ economic assets.
- Ability-based suffrage: This is a subtype of restricted suffrage in which limitations are established based on citizens’ educational level.
History of Suffrage
The history of suffrage is marked by a series of struggles that different social groups waged to influence the political affairs of their societies.
Ancient Times
In ancient Greece, where the first democratic systems emerged, only free men of legal age could participate in political life. Women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from this right. The Athenian model is one of the earliest examples of suffrage, although it was far from universal.
Furthermore, in other ancient civilizations, such as Rome, suffrage was also limited to certain groups, reflecting the inequality of power and rights in society at the time.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, the right to vote was nonexistent for the majority of the population, as power was concentrated in the hands of monarchs, nobles, and clergy.
In some cases, cities and guilds achieved a degree of self-government, but suffrage was restricted to small, privileged groups.
Early Modern
In the mid-18th century, the Enlightenment movement began to spread ideas about individual rights and popular sovereignty, questioning the authority of absolute monarchs. This gave rise to parliamentary monarchies and republican regimes, which advocated citizen participation in the election of political representatives.
However, despite these progressive ideas, voting was still limited to men of economic status, property, and education. Peasants and women, who constituted the majority of the population, were excluded.
Contemporary Age
The French Revolution of 1789 marked the end of the period characterized by monarchies and the emergence of an era of democratic regimes. In the 19th century, with the Industrial Revolution and the spread of liberal ideas, workers’ movements won the right to vote, although in many cases this right excluded women.
Women’s suffrage was a separate struggle, waged by suffragists, who faced great resistance. New Zealand was the first country to grant this right to women in 1893, while the rest of the Western world did so in the 1920s and 1930s. Latin America only achieved this right in the 1940s and 1950s.
Importance of Suffrage
Suffrage is important because it allows people to participate in the political decisions made in their society and to elect their political representatives. It is a tool for citizen oversight, because voting allows politicians to reward or punish their actions. Furthermore, it allows everyone the opportunity to express their views on how the society in which they live should function.
On the other hand, suffrage reinforces political equality. When all citizens have the right to vote, a basic principle of justice is established: every person, regardless of their origin or economic status, has the same power as everyone else to influence decisions that affect society.
Suffrage is also key to the legitimacy of governments, as those elected by the people enjoy greater support and recognition.
Suffrage Today
Today, most of the world’s democracies have universal suffrage. According to the United Nations, more than 190 countries have adopted voting systems in which all adult citizens have the right to vote, although the ages and rules may vary.
However, there are some countries where suffrage is restricted. According to the UN, nearly 20 countries limit women’s political rights. For example, in Saudi Arabia, women must have the permission of a male guardian (father, husband, or brother) to vote in elections.
There are also countries where elections are not free, but rather controlled by the government. For example, in North Korea, all candidates must be approved by the ruling party, and citizens are required to vote, but there is no guarantee that their vote will be secret.
On the other hand, in recent years, debates have also arisen about the importance of voting for young people under 18, as they are an active part of society. Currently, there are twelve countries that allow people under 18 to vote in elections, such as Argentina, Austria, and Brazil.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, ensuring reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- Ackermann, M. (2008). Women’s suffrage, rights, and roles. Encyclopedia of World History, vol. IV: Age of Revolution and Empire. 1750 to 1900. Facts on File.
- Sheldon, G. W. (2001). Democracy/democratic; Suffrage. Encyclopedia of Political Thought. Facts on File.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2024). Suffrage. Encyclopedia Britannica.
