Democracy For Realists by Christopher H. Achen, Larry Bartels

Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government

The book challenges the traditional notion that democratic elections reflect the will of the people, arguing instead that voters are largely influenced by social identities, partisan loyalties, and group interests rather than informed policy preferences or rational choices. The authors present evidence that political behavior is often shaped by deep-seated biases and external factors, suggesting that the ideal of a fully rational and informed electorate is largely a myth. They propose that a more realistic understanding of democracy should account for these influences and focus on institutional reforms to better align political outcomes with the public good.

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