Folk theory of democracy

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The folk theory of democracy is the belief system that the voting public supports, elects and embraces candidates who reflect the collective "wishes and desires" of the people. Extracted from Democracy for Realists; "the idea that citizens make coherent and intelligible policy decisions, on which governments then act – bears no relationship to how it really works. Or could ever work".[1][2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Achen, Christopher H.; Bartels, Larry M. (2016). Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691169446.
  2. ^ Monbiot, George (4 October 2016). "Lies, fearmongering and fables: that's our democracy". The Guardian.