> Nope, Ted, this doesn't rescue the instrumental rationality
> argument. If I can reasonably expect like-minded others to do the
> same (whatever "the same" is), then they will do that whether or not
> I show up at the polling place. Conversely, if I expect like-minded
> others to do differently, then what I do of do not do at the polling
> place will not affect their actions either. One vote really is just
> one vote.
>
There wouldn't then be reasonable grounds for expecting others to do the same (i.e. vote strategically), would there? iIt wouldn't be reasonable for me to expect others to vote strategically if, on the basis of this reasoning, I didn't vote strategically myself .
Ted
You're still not getting it. My expectations of others' actions do not influence those actions. My voting or not voting does not influence those actions. So whether or not I expect others to engage in (irrational, misnamed) "strategic voting," it makes no sense for me to act irrationally, as if my single vote has a causal effect. One vote is one vote is one vote.
Best, Michael