Ever feel like your vote doesn’t really count? Jason Brennan’s provocative book, Against Democracy, might just explain why you’re not alone. If the title didn’t tip you off, Brennan’s not here to sing democracy’s praises. Instead, he takes a good, hard look at the shortcomings of the system most of us hold dear. FRANK KRISHNER reviews a timely read for an election year.

I just finished reading this intriguing book by Jason Brennan called Against Democracy, and let me tell you, it’s quite a ride. If you’re expecting a warm hug from democracy, Brennan’s book is more like a cold splash of water—refreshing, but it might sting a bit!

First off, let’s dive into a bit of history. Brennan reminds us that democracy has been a work in progress since the days of ancient Greece, where it meant a government run by representatives elected by the people—though back then, “the people” didn’t include women or slaves. Back then, the “people” mostly meant men with property, and the rest were left out.

Do it Yourself Project

Fast forward a couple of millennia, and we’re still grappling with the gaps between democratic ideals and reality. In the 19th century, and democracy finally started to get its act together with universal suffrage movements that, at long last, let women have a say. In short, democracy’s been a bit of a work in progress, like that DIY project you keep meaning to finish. Despite the progress made, Brennan argues, modern democracies are still far from perfect, often falling short of their promises of equality and justice.

Now, Brennan’s book isn’t here to sing democracy’s praises. Nope, he’s the devil’s advocate, poking holes in what we often take for granted. He argues that despite 200 years of democratic practice and countless lectures on liberalism, we’ve yet to nail a truly democratic culture. Ouch.

Hobbits, Hooligans, Vulcans

Brennan’s main gripe? The voters themselves. He divides us into three groups: the well-informed “Vulcans,” the indifferent “Hobbits,” and the biased “Hooligans.” Brennan paints a pretty grim picture of the average voter – uninformed, biased, and more interested in winning arguments than understanding opposing views.

He doesn’t mince words, calling many of us “biased, ill-informed football hooligans.” Oof, that stings. And then there are the “hobbits,” folks who don’t really have strong political views. On the flip side, we’ve got the “Vulcans”—people who think scientifically and rationally about politics. Spoiler: there aren’t many Vulcans out there.

Brennan’s Fix

But wait, there’s more. Brennan isn’t just throwing stones at democracy; he’s got a suggestion for a fix. Enter “epistocracy” – a system where voting power is weighted by knowledge. Sounds intriguing, right? This isn’t exactly new. Folks have been debating the role of knowledge in politics for centuries. But Brennan’s argument is pretty straightforward: the average voter just doesn’t know enough. He points out that many people in advanced nations can’t even name the Vice President or explain what the U.S. military is doing in Syria or Libya. It’s a bit like going to the mechanic and not knowing what a spark plug is—probably not the best way to make informed decisions about your car, or in this case, your country.

Well, before you get too excited, think about the implications. Who decides what counts as “knowledge”? Could it lead to an elitist system that marginalizes the less educated? Brennan acknowledges these concerns but still believes it’s worth considering if it means more competent governance.

Brennan also takes aim at some common fallacies about voting. First, he says participating in politics doesn’t necessarily make you a better person. Second, your political input isn’t always good for you. And third, democracy isn’t the be-all and end-all of governance. It’s like saying your old trusty hammer is great, but maybe a shiny new wrench would get the job done better.

So, is democracy really the best system we’ve got? Brennan argues that while it’s better than some alternatives, it’s not the ultimate solution. It’s a hammer when what we might need is a wrench. And if you’re feeling a bit disillusioned by now, that’s kind of the point. Brennan wants us to rethink how we approach governance and consider whether a more informed electorate might lead to better outcomes.

Competency Testing

One of the more controversial ideas in the book is giving voters a basic test to ensure they’re informed enough to vote. Brennan argues this might lead to better leadership, but let’s be honest, it raises some tough questions. Would this system be elitist? Would it unfairly exclude certain groups? Brennan’s response is essentially: if democracy isn’t working as it is, maybe it’s time to try something new.

Against Democracy is a thought-provoking, sometimes uncomfortable read. Brennan isn’t here to comfort us; he’s here to challenge us, to make us think critically about the systems we often take for granted. Whether you agree with him or not, his book is a wake-up call, and who knows, it might just inspire you to dive a little deeper into the workings of our political systems—or at least to double-check your voter information before the next election!

If you’re up for rethinking what you thought you knew about democracy, give this book a go. Just be prepared to see your fellow voters – and maybe yourself – in a whole new light.

FRANK KRISHNER IS A MEDIA PRACTITIONER, TRAINER AND DOCUMENTATION SPECIALIST.

  Against democracy, Book Review, books, Frank Krishner, Jason Brebban