A few years ago, I was at university taking a class in rhetoric, when the teacher asked this question to the class. For me the answer was clear, but to my surprise every other person in the class answered that they voted for their own interests. 

From a democratic point of view that does make sense. Democratic elections are supposed to result in an administration that represents the interests of the majority, of those who voted for it. But let me tell you why I don’t vote for a political party that represents my personal interests. 

I’m white. I’m a man. I’m straight. And I was born in a relatively wealthy family. I check every box when it comes to privilege. And I’m aware that in my country there are many people like me that fit into one or more of these boxes. Look into the mirror. Are you one of these people? Then I’m writing to you. 

At this moment, in my country, the ruling political party is one that follows the neoliberal line of politics: “less social government intervention, less taxes, more free market”. When I think about ‘my interests’ that would emerge out of my social economic status, voting for this party would make sense. I already have money. I already have a house. And I already have an education. I have a decent life. I don’t need any social policies to get that. And if I would want to accumulate that wealth, the less taxes and free market would also be beneficial to me. But as I said before, I don’t vote for my own interests. I don’t vote for that political party, exactly because I don’t need the government to provide me with education, healthcare and shelter. But others, unfortunately, do. 

We live in a world where not everybody has equal opportunities. Not everybody is born with the privileges that I have. By no fault of their own. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a good life. I hope we can agree that everybody should at least have access to basic human rights. Everybody should be able to receive proper education, live in a decent house, and receive good healthcare when they are sick. I don’t need a government to provide me with those things. But others do. And that is why I vote for a government that supports those who need support, as opposed to one who denies education to those who don't have the right papers, cuts down on social housing because the private sector is more profitable, and refuses to include mental healthcare in the basic health insurance because it is too expensive and not important enough. Only for the rich to get even richer. 

It is only with the right government intervention that we can achieve an equal society that honours everybody’s human rights. 

Ultimately, I believe that kind of society would benefit us all. A society with poverty, unemployment, high disease rates, an unequal educational system, will result in a society with a lot of conflict, crime and violence. And that is not a society I want to live in or have my future kids grow up in. So even from a selfish point of view, voting for the interests of the less fortunate is the right thing to do. But also if it doesn’t benefit you directly, think about your fellow human beings. For moral reasons, for human reasons. Everybody deserves a good life, and if you already have one, consider giving your vote to those who have not. 

All I’m saying is: when you vote during the next elections, ask yourself the question: do I really need a government that represents my personal interests, or are there people in my country that need it more?