Description
Book SynopsisModels of democratic decision-making tend to assume that voters have preferences, and that candidates conform to those preferences. In reality, voters adopt the policies of those political elites - they follow their leaders. Policies are designed by the elite and the masses have little influence over them.
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Instrumental and Expressive Preferences; 3. Influences Over Preference Formation; 4. Preference Aggregation Through Voting; 5. The Formation of Political Preferences; 6. Anchor Preferences and Derivative Preferences; 7. Preferences of Elites and Masses; 8. Policies that Maximize Political Power; 9. Patriotism, Propaganda, and the Public Interest; 10. Implications for Democracy.