Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government Is Smarter

The New Jersey Lawyers Chapter

Speaker:

• Ilya Somin, Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, and Author of Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government Is Smarter

Speaker:

• Ilya Somin, Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, and Author of Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government Is Smarter

One of the biggest problems with modern democracy is that most of the public is usually ignorant of politics and government. Often, many people understand that their votes are unlikely to change the outcome of an election and don't see the point in learning much about politics. This may be rational, but it creates a nation of people with little political knowledge and little ability to objectively evaluate what they do know.

In Democracy and Political Ignorance, Ilya Somin mines the depths of ignorance in America and reveals the extent to which it is a major problem for democracy. He concludes that the problem of political ignorance strengthens the case for limiting and decentralizing government power, and for strong judicial review. Somin argues that people make better decisions when they choose what to purchase in the market or which state or local government to live under, than when they vote at the ballot box, because they have stronger incentives to acquire relevant information and to use it wisely.

Appetizers will be served.

This event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested. Please email [email protected] if you plan to attend.