Voter Ignorance and the Democratic Ideal

Abstract

If voters do not understand the programs of rival candidates or their likely consequences, they cannot rationally exercise control over government. An ignorant electorate cannot achieve true democratic control over public policy. The immense size and scope of modern government makes it virtually impossible for voters to acquire sufficient knowledge to exercise such control. The problem is exacerbated by voters’ strong incentive to be “rationally ignorant” of politics. This danger to democracy cannot readily be circumvented through “shortcut” methods of economizing on information costs. A truly democratic government must, therefore, be strictly limited in scope.

Keywords: Rational ignorance, elections, democracy, voting, information, information shortcuts, miracle of aggregation, polling, political ignorance, Anthony Downs

JEL Classification: D71, D80, H10, H11, H40, H41