Bryan Caplan's The Myth of the Rational Voter challenges the fundamental assumption underlying democratic theory: that voters, whatever their individual limitations, collectively make reasonable decisions. Caplan, an economist at George Mason University, argues that voters are not merely ignorant but systematically biased in predictable ways. He identifies four biases common among the public: anti-market bias (underestimating the benefits of free markets), anti-foreign bias (undervaluing economic interactions with foreigners), make-work bias (equating job creation with economic progress), and pessimistic bias (believing the economy is worse than it is). Because voting is costless and individual votes rarely decide elections, voters have no incentive to overcome these biases; they can indulge their prejudices without consequence. Caplan supports his argument with survey data comparing economists' views to those of the general public. The implications are troubling for democratic governance: if voters systematically prefer bad policies, democracy produces bad outcomes. Caplan considers various reforms, including reducing the scope of democratic decision-making. The book is provocative and will challenge readers across the political spectrum, as the biases Caplan identifies cut against both left and right orthodoxies. Whether one agrees with his conclusions, The Myth of the Rational Voter forces serious engagement with democracy's limitations. Essential for anyone interested in political economy and democratic theory.