Information, Participation, and Choice - Perspective on Downs

In this review of Information, Participation, and Choice, Bernard Norman Grofman offers a thoughtful perspective on Anthony Downs's influential An Economic Theory of Democracy. The book is best for readers who want a scholarly tracing of how Downs's ideas about voter behavior, party competition, and political ignorance reshaped political science; the single biggest reason to read it is the clear map it draws from the 1957 original to decades of subsequent research in the United States and beyond. This review highlights its value as a critical, historically informed synthesis rather than a beginner primer.

Key Features

• Historical tracing: Follows Downs's 1957 arguments through later scholarship to show concrete intellectual influence on voters, candidates, and parties.
• Theoretical focus: Examines the contrast between a public-choice model and a traditional civic-minded model to clarify core debates in political science.
• Comparative reach: Considers research not only in the United States but also in other contexts, making the analysis useful for comparative students.
• Clarifies concepts: Revisits key phrases like tweedledum and tweedledee politics to explain how they have been used and critiqued since publication.
• Scholarly synthesis: Brings together threads of voter rationality, political ignorance, and nonparticipation in a single narrative useful for researchers.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at graduate students, scholars, and advanced undergraduates in political science, particularly those studying political behavior, party competition, or public-choice theory. It suits readers who already know Downs's original work and want a concise, critical account of its academic legacy.

Readers seeking a practical handbook for campaigning or a basic introduction to voting for a general audience should look elsewhere, since the emphasis here is on intellectual lineage and theoretical debate rather than prescriptive advice or introductory exposition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a focused, scholarly tracing of Downs's influence, making complex debates accessible to specialists.
• Useful comparative perspective that extends beyond US politics, broadening its appeal to international scholars.
• Clear discussion of core concepts such as political ignorance and nonparticipation, useful for classroom discussion.

Cons

• The book is oriented toward readers familiar with the original 1957 work and related literature, so novices may find it dense.

Specifications

Title	Information, Participation, and Choice: An Economic Theory of Democracy in Perspective
Author/Editor	Bernard Norman Grofman
Focus	Tracing influence of Anthony Downs's An Economic Theory of Democracy
Core topics	Voters, candidates, parties, political ignorance, nonparticipation
Geographic scope	United States and comparative contexts
Intended audience	Scholars, graduate students, advanced undergraduates

Our Verdict

Information, Participation, and Choice is a valuable, concise synthesis for anyone studying the theoretical legacy of Downs; it offers good value for scholars who need a guided account of how ideas about rational voter behavior and party competition evolved. Those seeking an introductory primer or practical guidance on campaigning will not find this the right fit, but for academic readers it is a worthwhile, well-focused perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book summarize Anthony Downs's original arguments?
It traces and interprets Downs's 1957 arguments rather than serving as a point-by-point summary of the original text.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes, it works well as a companion reading for graduate seminars or upper-level courses that cover public-choice theory and the history of political science.

Is prior knowledge of political theory required?
Prior familiarity with Downs and basic concepts in political science will help readers get the most from the book.