Abstract
Democracy for Realists by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels aims to cast doubt on the traditional ‘folk theory’ of democracy in American political discourse. This theory of democracy postulates, first, that voters are rational and well-informed agents, capable of making sound electoral decisions without bias, and second, that electoral outcomes are the result of policy platforms. As such, it has a long-standing tradition within the democratic theory literature. Yet empirical studies cited by Achen and Bartels suggest that the folk theory is largely a myth that traps us in a status quo where governments are insufficiently responsive to the demands of voters. Furthermore, the ‘spatial theory’ of democracy first postulated by Anthony Downs (1957) is shown to be lacking in subtlety regarding how voters identify themselves and what factors influence their decisions.
Through the cited empirical research, the authors take aim at popular beliefs regarding voter ‘rationality’, the formation of preferences and beliefs and retrospective accountability. They argue, contrary to the standard folk theory, that individuals are group-minded partisan members, and their reasons for voting in certain ways are based mainly on ideological or partisan grounds. Thus, group identity has more of an impact on electoral choice than policy. Voters’ decisions are often influenced and biased by groups and the political parties they identify with. More specifically, group identification has a significant connection to our political behaviour, and the outcomes of elections generally have little policy impact.
The content of the book, including its references, is generally academically oriented. However, the main arguments proposed are accessible to a wider audience. The content is also a welcome addition to the literature on democratic theory and electoral politics even if its conclusions are not genuinely novel. Specifically, the arguments test long-standing beliefs using empirical evidence, allowing democratic theorists to reformulate their approach into deepening democratic institutions from what they are now.
For instance, the analysis shifts our attention towards the power which groups have on political judgement and identity. This grounds the ‘realist’ theory of democracy which the authors formulate in their concluding chapter. In their view, political and economic equality along with political competition among parties can positively affect government responsiveness.