The myth of the rational voter

About “The myth of the rational voter”

Bryan Caplan's non-fiction work examines why democracy often produces poor policies despite voters' intentions. He argues that voters consistently support politicians who align with their biases or feign agreement, leading to repeated adoption of bad policies. Caplan challenges common assumptions about American politics, suggesting that democracy fails because it fulfills what voters desire. He identifies four biases that influence voters: they distrust the market, distrust foreigners, undervalue labor conservation, and believe the economy is worsening. Using analysis of voting behavior and opinions on economic issues, Caplan explores how these biases shape political outcomes. He also proposes several solutions to improve democratic governance.