Private Truths, Public Lies: The Social Consequences of Preference Falsification

Name: Private Truths, Public Lies: The Social Consequences of Preference Falsification
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Book Synopsis: Preference falsification, according to the economist Timur Kuran, is the act of misrepresenting one's wants under perceived social pressures. It happens frequently in everyday life, such as when we tell the host of a dinner party that we are enjoying the food when we actually find it bland. In Private Truths, Public Lies, Kuran argues convincingly that the phenomenon not only is ubiquitous but has huge social and political consequences. Drawing on diverse intellectual traditions, including those rooted in economics, psychology, sociology, and political science, Kuran provides a unified theory of how preference falsification shapes collective decisions, orients structural change, sustains social stability, distorts human knowledge, and conceals political possibilities.

A common effect of preference falsification is the preservation of widely disliked structures. Another is the conferment of an aura of stability on structures vulnerable to sudden collapse. When the support of a policy, tradition, or regime is largely contrived, a minor event may activate a bandwagon that generates massive yet unanticipated change.

In distorting public opinion, preference falsification also corrupts public discourse and, hence, human knowledge. So structures held in place by preference falsification may, if the condition lasts long enough, achieve increasingly genuine acceptance. The book demonstrates how human knowledge and social structures co-evolve in complex and imperfectly predictable ways, without any guarantee of social efficiency.

Private Truths, Public Lies uses its theoretical argument to illuminate an array of puzzling social phenomena. They include the unexpected fall of communism, the paucity, until recently, of open opposition to affirmative action in the United States, and the durability of the beliefs that have sustained India's caste system.

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Discover the untold truth behind human behavior with "Private Truths, Public Lies: The Social Consequences of Preference Falsification." In this thought-provoking book, acclaimed economist Timur Kuran sheds light on the pervasive act of preference falsification and its immense social and political impact. With a compelling synthesis of economics, psychology, sociology, and political science, Kuran presents a captivating unified theory that uncovers how preference falsification shapes collective decisions and conceals political possibilities.

One of the remarkable effects of preference falsification is its role in upholding widely disliked structures. By perpetuating a false narrative of support, unpopular policies, traditions, and regimes gain an undeserved aura of stability. However, this fragile equilibrium can be shattered by a seemingly minor event, unleashing unforeseen and transformative change. Let this book open your eyes to the hidden forces that influence our society and challenge your understanding of power dynamics.

Furthermore, preference falsification not only distorts public opinion but also corrupts public discourse and hampers the development of human knowledge. Structures propped up by false preferences can become deeply ingrained, leading to a lasting acceptance that perpetuates social inefficiencies. Prepare to be captivated by Kuran's profound exploration of how complex interconnected systems shape our beliefs, values, and frameworks.

By examining puzzling social phenomena, including the fall of communism, the resistance to open opposition against affirmative action, and the endurance of India's caste system, "Private Truths, Public Lies" offers invaluable insights into the hidden mechanisms that govern our world. Embrace the opportunity to expand your understanding of human behavior and order your copy now!

Begin your journey into the hidden truths of society today!

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