The right to vote in political elections, a crucial aspect of civic participation, is the central concept. Historically, access to this right has been restricted based on factors such as gender, race, property ownership, and literacy. For example, in many societies, only male landowners were initially enfranchised. The expansion of this franchise represents a significant theme in global history.
The extension of voting rights is fundamentally linked to democratization and broader social and political changes. The struggle for this inclusion often involved social movements, legal reforms, and political upheaval. Examining these efforts reveals power dynamics, ideologies, and the evolving understanding of citizenship throughout history. Understanding this historical context is key to analyzing political developments.