Following their leaders : political preferences and public policy / Randall G. Holcombe.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Holcombe, Randall G., author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in economics, choice, and society

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political psychology.

Politics, Practical.

Political science--Decision making.

Political science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 213 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2023.

System Details:

Mode of Access: World Wide Web.

Summary:

Models of democratic decision-making tend to assume that voters have preferences and that candidates adjust their platforms to conform with those preferences; however, the direction of causation is largely the opposite. Political elites offer policy platforms to voters, and voters adopt those policies - they follow their leaders. Following Their Leaders argues that policies are designed by the elite and the electorate has little say. Preferences for public policy tend to be anchored in a political identity associated with a candidate, party, or ideology; voters' preferences on most issues are derived from their anchor preferences. Holcombe argues that because citizens adopt the policies offered by the elite, democratic institutions are ineffective constraints on the exercise of political power. This volume explores political institutions that help control the elite who exercise political power and discusses the implications political preferences have on democracies.

Contents:

Instrumental and expressive preferences

Influences over preference formation

Preference aggregation through voting

The formation of political preferences

Anchor preferences and derivative preferences

Preferences of elites and masses

Policies that maximize political power

Patriotism, propaganda, and the public interest

Implications for democracy.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 16 Mar 2023).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9781009323178 (ebook)

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.