Article analysis

TGThe Guardian (UK)
1yr ago
PoliticsControversialOpinion

The big idea: should we give babies the right to vote?

<p>Strange as it may seem, it’s hard to refute the arguments for truly universal suffrage</p><p>Two years ago, Alisa Perales <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-23/crafton-hills-college-11-year-old-graduate">sued</a> California and the US government because they wouldn’t let her vote. The academically gifted Perales, who was eight years old at the time, argued that the rule excluding under-18s from democracy, which is <a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-26/">enshrined</a> in the US constitution, amounted to age discrimination.</p><p>Her case was thrown out, but it wasn’t the first time the voting age was challenged and it won’t be the last. The issue of whether the limit should be removed entirely has been raised periodically since at least the 19th century, and the ageless voting movement has been gaining momentum since political philosopher John Wall wrote a <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/give-children-the-vote-9781350196261/">manifesto</a> for it in 2021. More recently, children’s author and education researcher Clémentine Beauvais published a short <a href="https://tracts.gallimard.fr/collections/tracts-gallimard/products/tracts-n-59-pour-le-droit-de-vote-des-la-naissance?_pos=1&amp;_fid=d6159675a&amp;_ss=c">tract</a> in her native France making the case for it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/29/the-big-idea-should-we-give-babies-the-right-to-vote">Continue reading...</a>

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The big idea: should we give babies the right to vote?

skim AI Analysis | The Guardian (UK)

The Guardian (UK) on The big idea: should we give babies the right to vote?: skim's analysis surfaces 3 key takeaways. The article explores the idea of lowering the voting age to include babies, presenting arguments for and against the concept. Read the takeaways in seconds, then decide whether the full article is worth your time.

Category: Politics. News article analyzed by skim.

Summary

The article explores the idea of lowering the voting age to include babies, presenting arguments for and against the concept. It cites legal challenges and philosophical discussions surrounding ageless voting.

Key Takeaways

  1. The idea of ageless voting challenges traditional notions of competence and productivity in democratic participation.
  2. Proponents of ageless voting argue that it could reinvigorate democracies and ensure all constituencies are served.
  3. Concerns about the practical implications and potential risks of ageless voting are also discussed, including proxy voting and manipulation.

Statement Breakdown

  • Claimed Facts: 50% of statements the article presents as facts
  • Opinions: 30% of statements classified as editorial or subjective
  • Claims: 20% of statements surfaced for additional reader evaluation

Credibility & Bias Reasoning

Credibility assessment: The article presents a balanced view by including arguments for and against the proposal. It cites academics and researchers, enhancing its credibility. However, the topic is inherently speculative, reducing the overall score.

Bias assessment: Intellectual Exploration. The article explores a novel concept, presenting arguments from various perspectives without advocating for a specific outcome. It maintains a neutral tone, focusing on the philosophical and practical implications of the idea.

Credibility flag: Considered Speculation

Claimed Facts (6)

  • This is a verifiable event.
  • This describes the basis of the lawsuit.
  • This is a verifiable fact about voting laws.
  • This provides historical context and recent developments.
  • This describes Wall's specific proposal.
  • This is a direct quote attributed to Pearse.

Opinions (6)

  • This is Pearse's subjective view on democracy.
  • This is a subjective observation about initial reactions.
  • This is Wall's personal conclusion.
  • This is a subjective assessment of different age groups' perspectives.
  • This is Beauvais's personal opinion on proxy voting.
  • This is Beauvais's philosophical view.

Claims (6)

  • This is an overgeneralization without specific evidence.
  • While Thunberg's position has gained traction, claiming it's 'mainstream' is subjective and lacks precise measurement.
  • This is a straw man argument, as no one is suggesting babies should make policy directly.
  • The phrase "vote badly" is vague and subjective, making this a dubious comparison.
  • This statement is hyperbolic and lacks a clear logical connection.
  • This is an emotional appeal without concrete justification.

Key Sources

  • Laura Spinney — Author
  • Alisa Perales — Plaintiff in voting age lawsuit
  • John Wall — Political philosopher
  • Clémentine Beauvais — Children’s author and education researcher
  • Harry Pearse — Research director at the Centre for Deliberation
  • Centre for Deliberation — Part of the UK’s National Centre for Social Research

This analysis was generated by skim (skim.plus), an AI-powered content analysis platform by Credible AI. Scores and classifications represent the platform's AI-generated assessment and should be considered alongside other sources.

skim analyzes recent The Guardian (UK) coverage for what holds up, what reads as opinion, and what may not be fully supported. Last updated 18th March 2026.