The Logic of Gilensian Activism, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty:
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Meglio adoperarsi per convertire il Centro o la Periferia?
But Gilens doesn't say that American democracy is heavily biased in favor of the interests of the rich; he says that it's heavily biased in favor of the opinions of the rich. In fact, the opinions of the rich only sporadically differ from the general population's, which is why sophisticated statistics are required to detect the rich's oversize influence.
So contrary to appearances, Gilens' analysis doesn't imply that activism is futile. The correct inference to draw, rather, is thateffective activism must convert the rich.
