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MPR News Staff

'Democracy for Realists' co-author speaks on what influences our political decisions

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Larry Bartels
Larry Bartels, professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, author of "Democracy for Realists."
Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt University.

How do we decide who to support in an election? What are the factors that shape our political choices?

Is it facts? Social identity? Partisan loyalties? All and more?

Larry Bartels spoke this week at the Institute for Freedom and Community at St. Olaf College about what influences our political behavior.

Bartels is a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University and is the co-author of "Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government."