Final answer:
Issues such as rational voter ignorance and special interest group effects are challenges within democratic systems. Rational ignorance can discourage voter turnout when individuals deem their vote as not impactful, while small, organized special interest groups can disproportionately influence political outcomes to their advantage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses some specific concepts related to democratic systems and their challenges, such as 'majority-rule voting', 'special-interest group effects', 'rational voter ignorance', 'bureaucratic inefficiency', and 'the shortsightedness effect'. These are often highlighted as potential flaws within the workings of democracy. Here is a detailed exploration of two such concepts:
Rational Voter Ignorance
The concept of rational ignorance suggests that if the costs of becoming informed about political issues and voting are too high, or if individuals believe their vote will not be decisive, they may choose not to vote. This can discourage voter participation as people weigh the costs of their time and effort against the negligible impact their single vote may have on the outcome of an election.
Special Interest Group Effects
Special interest groups are small in number relative to the nation but are often well-organized, allowing them to exert a disproportionate effect on political outcomes. They can win in majority voting situations because the benefits they seek are highly concentrated among their members, and the costs are diffused across a much larger population that may be less informed or less mobilized. This can lead to outcomes that benefit the few at the expense of the many.