Who Thinks Like an Economist? : How the Economist Mental Model Shapes Political Decisions

This book explains why voters back economically harmful policies like Brexit and protectionism by highlighting the mental models they use to interpret the political economy. Drawing on global cases and original survey data, it helps readers understand how thinking like an economist can shape political decisions.

Recent populist waves raise crucial questions about why economically harmful policies such as tariffs, Brexit, or immigration restrictions gain popular support. Conventional explanations focus on economic self-interest or cultural values; however, Beatrice Magistro's Who Thinks Like an Economist argues that the puzzle lies in how voters think. She introduces the innovative Economist Mental Model (EMM), which predicts attitudes toward trade, immigration, AI, and more. She explains that those adopting the Economist Mental Model are more likely to favor welfare-enhancing policies and prioritize cost-benefit information over partisan cues, while individuals with Alternative Mental Models (AMMs) show limited responsiveness to economic information and tend to support policies promising short-term relief at the expense of long-term welfare.  Drawing on surveys and experiments in Italy, the UK, and the U.S., Magistro offers an indispensable guide for scholars and policymakers seeking to understand—and counter— the appeal of populist policies that ultimately harm society.