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Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity

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  • Timur Kuran

Abstract

Public opinion breeds tyranny by forcing individuals to refrain from voicing their genuine thoughts and feelings. The means used to mitigate such tyranny include the separation of governmental powers, the ethic of tolerance, and the secret ballot. Yet neither individually nor collectively do these devices prevent the emergence and persistence of social taboos. This paper proposes two additional corrective devices. One is an electronic instrument that would enable public officials to deliberate on socially sensitive matters behind a veil of anonymity. The other is an ethic that would enhance the utility citizens derive from truthfulness on political matters. Copyright George Mason University 1993

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  • Timur Kuran, 1993. "Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 41-78, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:4:y:1993:i:1:p:41-78
    DOI: 10.1007/BF02393282
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthony Downs, 1957. "An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(2), pages 135-135.
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    Cited by:

    1. Amegashie, J. Atsu, 2006. "Intentions, Insincerity, and Prosocial Behavior," MPRA Paper 3223, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 13 May 2007.
    2. J. Atsu Amegashie, 2007. "Intentions, Insincerity, and Prosocial Behavior," Working Papers 0703, University of Guelph, Department of Economics and Finance.
    3. Timur Kuran, 1993. "The Unthinkable and the Unthought," Rationality and Society, , vol. 5(4), pages 473-505, October.

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