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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Me
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Durable
Style: Fetch Balls (Pack of 2), Size: 3 inch
Very bouncy. I like the noise it makes when you throw it. Pretty durable. Good size. Dog loves to play with them. Good material. Easy to use.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2026
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Susan Cedar
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
My dog loves glowing fetch at night!
Style: Glow Balls (Pack of 3), Size: 2.5 inch
Fantastic. Sturdy. My dog loves them Glow in the dark is great for fetch at night. I keep a flashlight with me because the glow doesn't last really long. But they charge very quickly and are really bright.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2026
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Maddox
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Indestructible
Style: Fetch Balls (Pack of 2), Size: 3 inch
These balls are indestructible! We have a lab and a lab mix and they CANNOT damage these balls. They love them for fetch and to just chew on them (slightly squishy, but NO damage). Best toys we have bought for them.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026
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Animal Lover
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Great trial set. Just be careful throwing the orange one!
Style: Assorted Balls (Pack of 3), Size: 2.5 inch
Blue isn't that easy to see in the yard White charges with bright light/UV and is truly a game changer for night-time fetch. Both dogs clearly favor it. Orange is easy to see in the grass at day They're 3 different weights as well, so double trial. I prefer medium for my big dogs, though light performs well too The orange is HEAVY and unyielding. Do NOT throw it with a ball thrower. It could damage your house or knock your dog out. Seems tough though.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2026
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Spo509
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 3
Not as good as chuck it anymore
Style: Fetch Balls (Pack of 10), Size: 2.5 inch
I have bought these before and the where just like the chuck it balls. These are not those balls. The are lighter and my dog has already cause damage to one
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Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2026

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