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英検1級 二次 予想トピック 42 ・ 🏛️ 政治・行政・法 ・ Should ~?

Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

選挙権の年齢を16歳に引き下げるべきか。

このトピックを選ぶべき人

若者の政治参加や主権者教育について、学校での経験から話せる人向け。

骨組み理由3つ（どちらの立場でも話せる）

賛成（Yes）で話すなら

I believe the voting age should be lowered to 16.

  1. long-term impactYoung people will live with the results of today's political decisions the longest. Issues such as climate change and pension reform will affect them far more than older voters.
  2. voting habitsVoting for the first time at 16, while still living at home and attending school, can help build a lifelong habit. Austria, for example, already allows 16-year-olds to vote in national elections.
  3. aging societyIn an aging society like Japan, older voters have a much larger voice in elections. Allowing younger people to vote would help balance the interests of different generations.

反対（No）で話すなら

I don't believe the voting age should be lowered to 16.

  1. maturityMany 16-year-olds may not yet have enough experience or knowledge to judge complex political issues. Most have never paid income tax or lived independently, so some issues may feel distant to them.
  2. outside influenceYoung teenagers may be strongly influenced by their parents, teachers, or social media. Their votes might not truly reflect their own views.
  3. low turnoutTurnout among young voters in Japan is already low. It makes more sense to improve political education and encourage existing young voters before adding even younger ones.

模範スピーチ賛成の立場で2分（266語）

序論Thank you. I'd like to talk about whether the voting age should be lowered to 16. I believe that it should, for three reasons: fairness between generations, building lifelong voting habits, and more meaningful political education. 理由1First, young people will live with the results of today's political decisions the longest. Issues like climate change, national debt, and pension reform will shape their entire adult lives. In an aging society like Japan, older voters already have a much bigger voice. Giving 16-year-olds the vote would help balance the interests of different generations. 理由2Second, voting at 16 can build a habit that lasts a lifetime. At that age, most young people are still living with their families and attending school, so it is easier to support them when they vote for the first time. Austria, for example, already allows 16-year-olds to vote in national elections, and Scotland does so in its own elections. 理由3Finally, a lower voting age would make political education more meaningful. When students know they can vote soon, discussing real issues in class is no longer just an academic exercise. Teachers can help them compare parties' policies and think critically about what they read online. 譲歩Some people argue that 16-year-olds are not mature enough to vote. I understand this concern. However, many adults also vote without studying the issues carefully, and we do not test the maturity of older voters. With proper education, teenagers can make reasonable decisions. まとめIn conclusion, because it is fairer to future generations, builds good habits, and strengthens education, I believe the voting age should be lowered to 16. Thank you.

和訳

ありがとうございます。選挙権の年齢を16歳に引き下げるべきかについてお話しします。私は引き下げるべきだと考えます。理由は3つ、世代間の公平、一生続く投票の習慣づくり、そしてより意味のある主権者教育です。 第一に、今日の政治の決定の結果と最も長く付き合っていくのは若者です。気候変動、国の借金、年金改革といった問題は、彼らの大人としての人生全体を左右します。日本のような高齢化社会では、すでに高齢の有権者の声の方がずっと大きくなっています。16歳に選挙権を与えれば、世代間の利害のバランスを取る助けになります。 第二に、16歳での投票は一生続く習慣を作れます。この年齢ではほとんどの若者がまだ家族と暮らし、学校に通っているので、初めての投票を支えやすいのです。例えばオーストリアではすでに16歳が国政選挙で投票でき、スコットランドでも自国の選挙で投票できます。 最後に、選挙権年齢を下げれば、主権者教育がより意味のあるものになります。もうすぐ投票できると分かっていれば、授業で実際の問題を話し合うことは、単なる勉強ではなくなります。教員は生徒が各政党の政策を比べたり、ネットで読んだことを批判的に考えたりする手助けができます。 16歳は投票できるほど成熟していないと主張する人もいます。その懸念は理解できます。しかし、問題をよく調べずに投票する大人も多く、年上の有権者の成熟度を試すことはしていません。きちんとした教育があれば、10代でも筋の通った判断ができます。 結論として、将来の世代にとってより公平で、良い習慣を育て、教育を強化するという理由から、選挙権年齢は16歳に引き下げるべきだと考えます。ありがとうございました。

想定質疑面接委員はこう突っ込んでくる

QTurnout among young voters is already low. Why would adding 16-year-olds help?

That's a fair point. Admittedly, simply lowering the age will not raise turnout by itself. However, if students cast their first vote while still at school, teachers can guide them through the process. So I believe it could actually raise turnout among young people in the long run.

Q：若い世代の投票率はすでに低いです。16歳を加えることがなぜ役に立つのですか。
A：もっともなご指摘です。確かに、年齢を下げるだけで投票率が上がるわけではありません。しかし、まだ学校にいるうちに初めての投票をすれば、教員がその手順を支えられます。ですから、長い目で見れば若者の投票率はむしろ上がると考えます。

QWouldn't teachers risk influencing students' political views?

Yes, that is a real risk, so schools would need clear rules. Teachers should present different viewpoints fairly and never tell students which party to support. If that balance is kept, I think political education can be done responsibly.

Q：教員が生徒の政治的な考えに影響を与えてしまう危険はありませんか。
A：はい、それは実際にある危険なので、学校には明確なルールが必要です。教員はさまざまな見方を公平に示し、どの政党を支持すべきかは決して言わないことです。そのバランスが保たれれば、主権者教育は責任をもって行えると思います。

QShould 16-year-olds also be allowed to run for office?

No, I don't think so, at least not yet. Voting is about expressing your view, but holding office requires much more experience and responsibility. So I would keep the minimum age for candidates higher than the voting age.

Q：16歳が選挙に立候補することも認めるべきですか。
A：いいえ、少なくとも今はそう思いません。投票は自分の考えを示すことですが、議員などの職に就くにはずっと多くの経験と責任が必要です。ですから、立候補できる年齢は選挙権の年齢より高いままにしておきます。

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