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Democracy for Realists
424 pages, 2017
Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels's book Democracy for Realists argues that the romantic view of democracy—that thinking citizens make rational choices about political issues—is fundamentally misguided.
Achen and Bartels base their argument on evidence from a wealth of social-scientific sources, including ingenious original analyses of topics ranging from abortion politics and budget deficits to the Great Depression and shark attacks.
They demonstrate that voters even those who are well-informed and politically engaged mostly choose parties and candidates on the basis of social identities and partisan loyalties, not political issues.
They also show that voters adjust their policy views and even their perceptions of basic matters of fact to match those loyalties; for example, partisanship drives how people perceive threats to Sweden.
In Democracy for Realists, Christopher H. Achen challenges the popular belief that voters are rational and informed. He argues that voters often make decisions based on their social identities and partisan loyalties, rather than on an in-depth understanding of policy issues.
Achen emphasizes the importance of social identity in shaping political behavior. He suggests that our political choices are heavily influenced by our group affiliations, such as race, religion, and social class. So, if you want to understand why people vote the way they do, take a look at their social identities.
Did you know that random events like shark attacks or droughts can influence election outcomes? Achen's research finds that voters often blame or credit incumbent politicians for these uncontrollable events. This is a fascinating insight into the irrationality of voter behavior.
Democracy for Realists is not just about voter behavior. It also explores the limitations of traditional democratic theory, which assumes that voters are rational and that elections lead to responsive government. Achen argues that these assumptions are often wrong, and we need to rethink our understanding of democracy.
One of the key takeaways from Achen's book is the power of partisanship. He argues that partisan loyalties are a major driver of voting behavior, often overriding policy considerations. This is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing efforts to promote informed and rational voting.
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Democracy for Realists offers a profound yet accessible analysis of the deep-seated forces driving democratic politics, both in the United States and around the world.
Larry Bartels - Political ScientistAchen and Bartels' book is a major contribution to the study of democratic theory. It challenges conventional wisdom and reshapes our understanding of democracy.
Robert Dahl - Political TheoristDemocracy for Realists is a game-changer. It challenges everything we thought we knew about the functioning of democracies.
Nancy Bermeo - Political SociologistThis book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the true dynamics of democratic politics. It's a groundbreaking work.
Ian Shapiro - Political ScientistDemocracy for Realists is a monumental achievement. It's a rigorous, comprehensive, and enlightening exploration of democratic theory.
Theda Skocpol - Sociologist