Why Bother With Elections?

Adam Przeworski is Carroll and Milton Petrie Professor of Politics and (by courtesy) of Economics at New York University.

• ContentsPrefaceIntroductionPart I How Elections Work1 The Idea of Electing Governments2 Protecting Property3 Jockeying for Partisan Advantage4 Conclusion: What Is Inherent in Elections?Part II What Elections Achieve and What NotIntroduction5 Rationality6 Representation, Accountability, and Control over Governments7 Economic Performance8 Economic and Social Equality9 Civil Peace10 ConclusionsSuggested ReadingsReferences

"A fascinating analysis of how elections work and their impact on politics.  Covering the 'nitty gritty' of who gets to vote, who stands and who gets elected through to major questions about whether elections reduce economic inequality and civil conflict, Adam Przeworski brilliantly combines historical narrative, normative theory and statistics to provide a thoughtful, insightful and highly engaging read."Stephen Fisher, University of Oxford"No one alive knows more about elections than Adam Przeworski or understands better what is at stake in them. This little book distills the hard won political wisdom of a lifetime. It could scarcely be more timely."John Dunn, University of Cambridge"Why Bother with Elections? is vintage Przeworski. Brutally realistic about what we can expect from competitive elections, yet nonetheless inspiring about their value, this book offers one of the most eloquent defences I have seen of the advantages of majoritarianism over the separation-of-powers system that many Americans regard as the bedrock of good governance." Ian Shapiro, Yale University