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Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government (Princeton Studies in Political Behavior, 1),Used
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Why our belief in government by the people is unrealisticand what we can do about itDemocracy for Realists assails the romantic folktheory at the heart of contemporary thinking about democratic politics and government, and offers a provocative alternative view grounded in the actual human nature of democratic citizens.Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels deploy a wealth of socialscientific evidence, including ingenious original analyses of topics ranging from abortion politics and budget deficits to the Great Depression and shark attacks, to show that the familiar ideal of thoughtful citizens steering the ship of state from the voting booth is fundamentally misguided. They demonstrate that voterseven those who are well informed and politically engagedmostly 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. When parties are roughly evenly matched, elections often turn on irrelevant or misleading considerations such as economic spurts or downturns beyond the incumbents' control; the outcomes are essentially random. Thus, voters do not control the course of public policy, even indirectly.Achen and Bartels argue that democratic theory needs to be founded on identity groups and political parties, not on the preferences of individual voters. Democracy for Realists provides a powerful challenge to conventional thinking, pointing the way toward a fundamentally different understanding of the realities and potential of democratic government.
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- Q: What is the main argument of 'Democracy for Realists'? A: 'Democracy for Realists' argues that the common belief that elections produce responsive government is unrealistic. It suggests that voters often choose based on social identities and partisan loyalties rather than informed political opinions.
- Q: Who are the authors of this book? A: The book is authored by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels, who provide a critical analysis of democratic theory.
- Q: What topics does the book cover? A: 'Democracy for Realists' covers a range of topics, including abortion politics, budget deficits, and historical events like the Great Depression, using social-scientific evidence to support its claims.
- Q: What is the format of the book? A: The book is available in hardcover format, making it durable for readers who prefer physical copies.
- Q: How many pages is 'Democracy for Realists'? A: The book contains 408 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of its subject matter.
- Q: When was 'Democracy for Realists' published? A: 'Democracy for Realists' was published on April 19, 2016, and is classified as a first edition.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: 'Democracy for Realists' is offered in new condition, ensuring that readers receive a fresh, pristine copy.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic purposes? A: Yes, 'Democracy for Realists' is suitable for academic purposes, especially for those studying political science, as it challenges conventional views on democracy with empirical evidence.
- Q: What is the primary audience for this book? A: The primary audience includes students, educators, and anyone interested in political behavior and democratic theory.
- Q: Does the book include any original analyses? A: Yes, the authors include original analyses that highlight how voters' decisions are influenced by factors beyond mere policy positions, which is a key aspect of their argument.