Difference between revisions of "Rational ignorance"
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Rational ignorance, an oxymoron, is a voter's conscious decision to remain uninformed about a political issue. This ignorance is considered to be "rational" when the marginal cost of learning about the issue exceeds the marginal benefit of voting because one vote is unlikely to change the outcome. | Rational ignorance, an oxymoron, is a voter's conscious decision to remain uninformed about a political issue. This ignorance is considered to be "rational" when the marginal cost of learning about the issue exceeds the marginal benefit of voting because one vote is unlikely to change the outcome. | ||
| − | This overlooks intangible benefits to voting beyond influencing the outcome, such as a feeling of participation and investment in the community and connecting with other people who voted. Also, information is efficiently gained by voting, including reading | + | This overlooks intangible benefits to voting beyond influencing the outcome, such as a feeling of participation and investment in the community and connecting with other people who voted. Also, information is efficiently gained by voting, including reading referendums that may be on the ballot. |
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| + | [[category:political terms]] | ||
Revision as of 20:58, July 30, 2007
Rational ignorance, an oxymoron, is a voter's conscious decision to remain uninformed about a political issue. This ignorance is considered to be "rational" when the marginal cost of learning about the issue exceeds the marginal benefit of voting because one vote is unlikely to change the outcome.
This overlooks intangible benefits to voting beyond influencing the outcome, such as a feeling of participation and investment in the community and connecting with other people who voted. Also, information is efficiently gained by voting, including reading referendums that may be on the ballot.