About this item
Highlights
- The Uninformed Voter focuses on a major defect in modern democracy: candidates are elected to government offices by voters who have little or no knowledge about the candidates' backgrounds and stances on the issues, let alone what the issues are and how government can address those issues.
- Author(s): Robert Levine
- 386 Pages
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Description
About the Book
Voters often lack knowledge of government structure, political issues and candidates' positions, and frequently elect incompetent or venal politicians to office. In The Uninformed Voter, ideas for strengthening democracy are discussed.
Book Synopsis
The Uninformed Voter focuses on a major defect in modern democracy: candidates are elected to government offices by voters who have little or no knowledge about the candidates' backgrounds and stances on the issues, let alone what the issues are and how government can address those issues. Uninformed voters often end up voting against their own interests. Unqualified or even corrupt candidates may be elected, and the cycle of dysfunctional and inefficient government continues. Offering more than just a history lesson, The Uninformed Voter evaluates suggestions by political scientists and philosophers about how to improve democracy to convince citizens that their votes are valuable and the system is capable of change. Author Robert Levine has been a contributing journalist to The Moderate Voice for eight years, specializing in politics, and has published two other books on American politics.
Review Quotes
Important and insightful look at threats to our democracy and what needs to be changed to put us back on the right path.
An almanac of American political history, monumental in its breadth. And it provides novel suggestions on how to deal with democracy's major problem- the uninformed voter.
A well written and well researched book that examines the evolution of, and the decline of democracy. The author clearly traces why and how this has occurred... and what concrete steps can be taken to get our country back on course.
Penetrating and disturbing critique of the American system. Most interesting were his thoughts on creative democratizing: changes we can make in the political structures and voting process to engage the electorate.
This book should be required reading for new voters as well as current voters not to become complacent with our responsibility. How can we unlock the grip both the Democrats and the GOP have on local, state and federal elections?
Timely and insightful view of our democracy today and what can be done to improve it. The book is an eye-opener for the public. It is well written, researched and structured.
A well-written, painstakingly researched book that tells all the things wrong with democratic government-and how uninformed voters perpetuate these problems by continuing to vote for inadequate leaders.
A thoughtful analysis of what ails our democracy with a focus on an apathetic and uninformed public. This highly readable text is built on a deeply researched study. Levine does not shy away from prescribing policies to ameliorate the condition and they are both practical and feasible.