#### Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government `Author:` Christopher H. Achen and Larry M. Bartels `Availability:` [[Suggestions]] > [!info] > ![[democracy-for-realists-book.jpg]] ## Key Takeaways The Folk theory of democracy ## Summary “[[Democracy]] for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive [[Government]]” is a seminal work by political scientists Christopher H. Achen and Larry M. Bartels, first published in 2016 by Princeton University Press. The book critically examines traditional democratic theories, particularly the “folk theory of [[Democracy]],” which posits that informed citizens make policy decisions through voting, leading to responsive governance. Achen and Bartels challenge this notion, arguing that voters often base decisions on [[partisan]] loyalties and social identities rather than informed policy preferences. Christopher H. Achen is the Roger Williams Straus Professor of Social Sciences and Professor of [[Politics]] at Princeton University, renowned for his contributions to political methodology and democratic theory. Larry M. Bartels holds the May Werthan Shayne Chair of Public Policy and Social Science at Vanderbilt University and is acclaimed for his research on public opinion, electoral politics, and political representation. In “[[Democracy]] for Realists,” the authors present evidence suggesting that voters’ choices are significantly influenced by group attachments and social identities, leading to electoral outcomes that may not align with the ideal of a responsive government. Their analysis has been influential in contemporary political science, offering a more nuanced understanding of democratic processes and voter behavior. The book has been widely reviewed and discussed in academic circles, with some critiques focusing on its implications for democratic theory and practice. For instance, a review in the _LSE Review of Books_ notes that while the authors challenge conventional democratic ideals, their analysis primarily draws on U.S. examples, which may limit its applicability to other democratic contexts. Overall, “Democracy for Realists” is considered a pivotal contribution to the field, prompting scholars and practitioners to reevaluate assumptions about voter behavior and the functioning of democratic systems. ## Quotes 1. “Well-informed citizens, too, have come in for their share of criticism, since their well-organised ‘ideological’ [[Thinking]] often turns out to be just a rather mechanical reflection of what their favourite group and party leaders have instructed them to think.” 2. “If a single nutty or dangerous vision comes to be sufficiently widely shared, demagogues may be able to ride it to power.” 3. “Elections do not force successful candidates to reflect the policy preferences of the median voter.” These quotes encapsulate the authors’ critical perspective on the limitations of democratic processes and voter behavior. ## Notes - `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]]