Not just in production, but also in politics (capitalist, socialist, anarchist, or whatever) there exist obligations. For instance, we have not just the right to picket but picket duties that have to be enforced by workers themselves. When a large number of people shirk an obligation to participate in politics, we'll have a domination by a minority, such as what we have now.
While how to manage absenteeism under socialism may be a problem that some of us may be fortunate enough to confront in the future (though most likely none of us will), the pressing question today is, rather, how to overcome the problem of free riding in politics (e.g., enjoying benefits that unions bring without bothering to organize or take part in one, believing that one can enjoy civil rights and liberties without bothering to lift a finger to protect them, etc.). While (substantial, as opposed to superficial) political participation is an obligation, it's not an obligation that a state should or even could enforce. It's a problem without a surefire solution, one with which people must grapple on their own, often under circumstances not conducive to their doing so (e.g., overwork, ill health, fear of unemployment, reluctance to rock the boat, etc.). We are doomed to plutocracy forever without more folks standing up and getting politically involved, however. -- Yoshie
* Calendar of Events in Columbus: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/calendar.html> * Anti-War Activist Resources: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/activist.html> * Student International Forum: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osu.edu/students/CJP/>