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A Different Perspective on Current Problems: Comment on “Proposals for a Democracy of the Future” by Bruno Frey

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  • Marta Orviska

    (Matej Bel University)

Abstract

We analyse the proposals put forward by Bruno Frey in a recent paper on extending democracy. On the whole we do not agree with Professor Frey on these proposals. Although, we do this with some hesitation in light of the enormous contribution he has made to the discipline of economics over several decades. Our comments are focused on two issues. Firstly the impact such extensions would have on participation rates, i.e. the probability of an individual voting. Secondly, we argue that perceived dissatisfaction with the state of democracy is to a large extent a consequence of economic developments following the global financial and economic crisis of the last decade. The solution is not so much to focus on democracy, but to solve the economic problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Orviska, 2018. "A Different Perspective on Current Problems: Comment on “Proposals for a Democracy of the Future” by Bruno Frey," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 111-116, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:homoec:v:35:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s41412-018-0064-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s41412-018-0064-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cox, Gary W. & Munger, Michael C., 1989. "Closeness, Expenditures, and Turnout in the 1982 U.S. House Elections," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 83(1), pages 217-231, March.
    2. Orviska, Marta & Hudson, John, 2003. "Tax evasion, civic duty and the law abiding citizen," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 83-102, March.
    3. Bruno S. Frey, 2017. "Proposals for a Democracy of the Future," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 1-9, April.
    4. Marta Orviska & Anetta Caplanova & John Hudson, 2005. "Intended electoral participation in transition countries," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 211-228, November.
    5. Anthony Downs, 1957. "An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65, pages 135-135.
    6. Orviska, Marta & Hudson, John, 2009. "Dividing or uniting Europe? Internet usage in the EU," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 279-290, November.
    7. Gregory Dow, 2001. "Allocating Control over Firms: Stock Markets versus Membership Markets," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 18(2), pages 201-218, March.
    8. Frey, Bruno S, 1997. "A Constitution for Knaves Crowds Out Civic Virtues," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 107(443), pages 1043-1053, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Electoral participation; Democracy; Information technology; The economic crisis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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