Popkin’s theory of the “reasoning voter.”

Summary of Popkin reading http://wikisum.com/w/Popkin:_The_reasoning_voter Populis t D em ocra cy ​ ( s o m e b a sic id ea s o f P opulis t D em ocra cy) ● Bala ncin g P opula r S ove re ig nty a nd E quit y ● Majo rit ie s S hould H ave U nli m it e d S ove re ig nty ● What if c it iz e ns a re in dif fe re nt? ● What if th ere ’s a tie ? ​ ​“if d ead lo ck i n a c h oic e b etw een t w o a lte rn ativ es t h at a re v ery h ig hly r a n ked b y t h e r e sp ectiv e p artis a n s, t h en v io le n ce a n d c iv il w ar m ay w ell r e su lt” ( D ah l 3 9). ● Resu lt s b eco m e le ss v a lid a s s p lit g ets c lo se to 5 1/4 9. ● Possib ilit y o f N o P opula r C onse nsu s. From Page 37 (in Dahl “A Preface to Democratic Theory”) Definition 1-4, and proposition 1 can help the understand about populistic theory. “Average Citizen” (a summary of average citizen on the website, it might help you to understand average citizen) 1. In reality, interest is low when it comes to just ideological differences. Discussion rarely happens at all, whether it is political figures or grass roots. The amount of discussion is often curtailed by that lack of interest and often some animosity between oppositions. Low motivation to participate, especially in elections, is rampant in American society. In presidential elections, barely half the eligible voters actually vote. The authors feel that this is because the bulk of people feel that any decision on their part will not have a personal consequence to them. 2. the citizen is really uninformed about the details and see a political situation the way they want it to be instead of the way it is. The perception is affected by any emotional feeling toward a favored group. 3. It should not be out of habit or impulse, it should be for the common good of the country. For many voters, the principal becomes what will be better for "their" group. 4. the citizen is expected to act rationally when voting. He is supposed to use reason and rational thinking through courses of action and consequence to come to his decision. However, for the common citizen, the idea of what is reasonable is different. Berelson, Lazarsfeld, and McPhee describe this as political preferences being analogous to cultural tastes.