Summary:
The book challenges the conventional wisdom of democratic theory, arguing that voters are not rational actors who choose candidates based on policy preferences, but rather are influenced by social identities and partisan loyalties. It presents evidence that elections often reflect the performance of the economy and current events rather than a thoughtful assessment of candidates and their platforms.
Key points:
1. Folk Theory Critique: Achen and Bartels argue that the idea of informed, rational voters voting for the common good doesn't match how people actually vote.
Books similar to "Democracy for Realists":
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Bryan Caplan
Against Democracy
Jason Brennan
Why We Get the Wrong Politicians
Isabel Hardman
Uninformed
Arthur Lupia
Avoiding Politics
Nina Eliasoph
Public Opinion [with Biographical Introduction]
Walter Lippmann
Uncivil Agreement
Lilliana Mason
Dangerous Convictions
Tom Allen
The Predictioneer's Game
Bruce Bueno De Mesquita
How Democracies Die
Steven Levitsky|Daniel Ziblatt