exert a disproportionate effect on political outcomes

voting cycle the situation in which a majority prefers A over B, B over C, and C over A

Key Concepts and Summary

18.1 Voter Participation and Costs of Elections

The theory of rational ignorance says voters will recognize that their single vote is extremely unlikely to

influence the outcome of an election. As a consequence, they will choose to remain uninformed about issues
and not vote. This theory helps explain why voter turnout is so low in the United States.

18.2 Special Interest Politics

Special interest politics arises when a relatively small group, called a special interest group, each of whose

members has a large interest in a political outcome, devotes considerable time and energy to lobbying for the

group’s preferred choice. Meanwhile, the large majority, each of whose members has only a small interest in

this issue, pays no attention.
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