This is an important question with relevance to life planning and the concept of freedom, which by definition implies remoteness from institutions and Government.

Managing what we can control whilst taking steps to avoid the impact of things we cannot is a key principle of financial life planning.

Voting is surely one way to control how Government impacts on our lives and society. Voters who take steps to plan their lives will vote for politicians most likely to help them succeed, although with turnout down to 60 per cent from more than 70 per cent 10 years ago it remains to be seen whether that holds true for the rest of the electorate.

But new ways of taking control may impact on whether people exercise their right to vote.

The internet democratised publishing, broadcasting and communications in the last decade, leading to a massive increase in participation in these spaces. Social networking and digital communications played an important part in last year’s Iran elections and the subsequent revolt against the result. The web is democratising commerce; it is well on its way to democratising politics.

As entrepreneurs gain a deep understanding of social networking to grow their businesses, so will they also start to use the net to influence Government and policy-making to their advantage.

Elections used to be fought on the ground and in the media. As the internet becomes the third theatre the forthcoming election could be the most democratic ever, and thus enable us to bring some control and influence to those areas of our lives which previously we were unable to do.

So as election day draws near do we vote, do we set up a Facebook campaign or do we just revisit our plans to minimise the impact of that we cannot control?