Duncan Black

Duncan Black was an influential political scientist best known for developing the concept of "theory of rational ignorance" and advancing the idea of the "public choice" approach to politics. His work analyzes how self-interest and incentives shape political decisions and policies, often comparing political behavior to economic decision-making. Black argued that voters and politicians act rationally based on their preferences and information, which can lead to outcomes that reflect collective interests or, at times, collective shortcomings. His insights help explain the functioning of democratic systems and the importance of understanding incentives in public decision-making.