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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kuran, T
Published in: Constitutional Political Economy
December 1, 1993

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. © 1993 George Mason University.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Constitutional Political Economy

DOI

EISSN

1572-9966

ISSN

1043-4062

Publication Date

December 1, 1993

Volume

4

Issue

1

Start / End Page

41 / 78

Related Subject Headings

  • Economics
  • 4408 Political science
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 1606 Political Science
  • 1402 Applied Economics
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Kuran, T. (1993). Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity. Constitutional Political Economy, 4(1), 41–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393282
Kuran, T. “Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity.” Constitutional Political Economy 4, no. 1 (December 1, 1993): 41–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393282.
Kuran T. Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity. Constitutional Political Economy. 1993 Dec 1;4(1):41–78.
Kuran, T. “Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity.” Constitutional Political Economy, vol. 4, no. 1, Dec. 1993, pp. 41–78. Scopus, doi:10.1007/BF02393282.
Kuran T. Mitigating the tyranny of public opinion: Anonymous discourse and the ethic of sincerity. Constitutional Political Economy. 1993 Dec 1;4(1):41–78.
Journal cover image

Published In

Constitutional Political Economy

DOI

EISSN

1572-9966

ISSN

1043-4062

Publication Date

December 1, 1993

Volume

4

Issue

1

Start / End Page

41 / 78

Related Subject Headings

  • Economics
  • 4408 Political science
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 1606 Political Science
  • 1402 Applied Economics