SKU: 157147811

Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government

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Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive GovernmentWhy our belief in government by the people is unrealistic and what we can do about it Democracy for Realists assails the romantic folk theory 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 social scientific evidence, including ingenious original analyses of topics

Why our belief in government by the people is unrealistic--and what we can do about it

Democracy for Realists assails the romantic folk-theory 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 social-scientific 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 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. 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. Now with new analysis of the 2016 elections, 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.

-- "Choice"

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 08/29/2017
ISBN: 9780691178240
Pages: 408
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.20w x 1.20d
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SKU: 157147811

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Dave F
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 4
Runs small
Size: XX-Large, Color: Navy
Definitely go a size up. These run a whole size smaller than designated. Material is also heavier than a regular t-shirt. Quality seems okay
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Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026
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Sara Z
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Fits well and comfortable!
Size: Large, Color: Eggshell White Black Mariner Stripe, Size: Large, Color: Eggshell White Black Mariner Stripe
This shirt fits my husband very well, it is true to size. It is soft and stretchy enough to be comfortable. I bought this as part of a costume but my husband wears it around the house now because it's so comfy.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2025
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Jake Hyatt
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 1
You get what you pay for
Size: XX-Large, Color: Eggshell White Black Mariner Stripe
Like most of the other reviews here, the shirt runs too small and too short. Material was also incredibly uncomfortable. It also wasn't the color I was hoping it would be, but that's on me for not reading the fine print (eggshell white was very much not white) If you're looking at this for a certain costume/cosplay idea, it's probably not what you're looking for.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026
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Terrorgod
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Solid fit
Size: X-Large, Color: Eggshell White Black Mariner Stripe
Easy fit, comfortable material. Dont expect it to last forever but at the price its solid for the purpose of a halloween costume.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2025
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C.L.
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 3
Runs small
Size: X-Large, Color: Navy
Runs small and is short. Nice dark navy color. I ordered a size up and it is still small.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2026

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