SKU: 157147811

Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government

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Description

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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4.9 ★★★★★
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Verified Purchase
Cindy Horsley
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Matcha Set Highly recommended
Color: Pink
This is perfect for mixing your matcha and cold cream! My granddaughter is 11 and she is obsessed with matcha. Its perfect for her. Very cute set up!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2026
D
demmie thomas
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Tea
Color: Yellow
A matcha set like the 8-piece ceramic speckled design (with teapot + whisk) is all about completeness, ceramic quality, included tools, and gift presentation. The best sets give you everything needed for a traditional matcha routine while also looking beautiful enough to display.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
M
MintMermaid
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Cute
Color: Pink
This matcha set feels like good value for the price and works well for making matcha at home. The quality is solid and everything feels durable enough for regular use. The color is really pretty and the design is simple but cute. All the pieces do what they’re supposed to and fit together nicely. It’s a nice set if you want something functional that also looks good.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2025
O
Old Mom on the Farm
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 4
Description very off, and only 7 pieces no matter how you count it, NO TEAPOT AS LISTED
Color: Yellow
Very disappointed, I ordered this set at this price ($36.89) BECAUSE it clearly lists a teapot included. “COMPLETE 8-PIECE MATCHA CEREMONY SET:** Includes essential tools: Kyusu teapot (with spout), 1 matcha bowls (chawan), bamboo whisk (chasen),2 bamboo scoop , matcha sifter (furui), and stylish black storage box. Everything needed for authentic matcha preparation. “ Their description. While there ARE only SEVEN pieces, here's the list I made from my set: 1. small cloth 'mat' to set pieces on 2. Chawan ceramic bowl 3. ceramic holder for the whisk 4. bamboo Chasen whisk 5. small bamboo tea powder scoop 6. small bamboo spoon 7. small, cup size, colander or 'sifter' for the matcha powder It comes in a cardboard box with instructions on how to prepare tea printed on the back, and shipping label stuck to the side. Certainly NOT an ' Elegant Black Gift Box “. Again, there is NO “ Kyusu teapot (with spout) “ included. And if the chopstick rest in the pictures was meant to be a substitute for the teapot, it's a very poor one. Plus, I didn't get either, no chopstick rest (not mentioned in description) and no teapot. No matter how you count it, it's NOT an '8 piece set”. Hugely disappointing. The ceramics are nice quality, unmarked works. They are well decorated with the 'speckles', and all edges are smoothly done. Price too high for not being as described. THREE STARS
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Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2025
A
Verified Purchase
Alexia
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Super aesthetic and great quality
Super cute set, great value and easy to clean! I’m new to matcha and felt this made it simple! I’ve had it for months and used several times and is still in great shape!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026

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