Page "Public choice theory" Paragraph 4
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Public choice theory is often used to explain how political decision-making results in outcomes that conflict with the preferences of the general public.
For example, many advocacy group and pork barrel projects are not the desire of the overall democracy.
The project may be of interest to the politician's local constituency, increasing district votes or campaign contributions.
The cost of defeating any one government give-away is very high, while the benefits to the individual taxpayer are very small.
Each citizen pays only a few pennies or a few dollars for any given government favor, while the costs of ending that favor would be many times higher.
Everyone involved has rational incentives to do exactly what they're doing, even though the desire of the general constituency is opposite.
The voices of vocal minorities with much to gain are heard over those of indifferent majorities with little to individually lose.
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