Cognitive Abilities and the Demand for Bad Policy

Salvatore Nunnari, Eugenio Proto and Aldo Rustichini

No 19217, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Rational choice theories assume that voters accurately assess the outcomes of policies. However, many important policies—such as regulating prices and introducing Pigouvian taxation—yield outcomes through indirect or equilibrium effects that may differ from their direct effects. Citizens may underestimate these effects, leading to a demand for bad policy, that is, opposition to reforms that would increase welfare or support for reforms that would decrease it. This appreciation might be linked to cognitive functions, raising important research questions: Do cognitive abilities influence how individuals form preferences regarding policies, especially untried reforms? If so, what is the underlying mechanism? We use a simple theoretical framework and an experiment to show that enhanced cognitive abilities may lead to better policy choices. Moreover, we emphasize the crucial role of beliefs about other citizens' cognitive abilities. These findings have important policy implications as they suggest that educational programs developing cognitive skills or interventions increasing trust in others' understanding could improve the quality of democratic decision-making in our societies.

Keywords: Voting; Cognition; Experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C90 D72 D91 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-07
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Related works:
Working Paper: Cognitive Abilities and the Demand for Bad Policy (2024)
Working Paper: Cognitive Abilities and the Demand for Bad Policy (2024)
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