Episode 134 - Too Dumb for Democracy by David Moscrop - Deep Dive Book Review

Today we review David Moscrop's "Too Dumb for Democracy?" which examines the reasons behind flawed political choices and proposes methods for enhancing decision-making. Moscrop investigates cognitive biases, emotional influences, and the impact of media framing, priming, and agenda-setting on individual judgment. Moscrop further analyzes how institutions and systems, such as political parties and economic structures, shape political thinking. He introduces psychological models like motivated reasoning and automaticity to explain decision-making processes. Ultimately, Moscrop advocates for improved citizen skill-building, cognitive diversity, and institutional commitments to promote rationality and autonomy in political participation. He draws on numerous studies, interviews, and historical examples to support his arguments. Moscrop contends that better political decision-making is essential for the survival of democracy in the face of contemporary threats.

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