From opinions to policies

Examining the links between citizens, representatives, and policy change

Bibliographic Data

ID4172015
AuthorsMikael Persson (0000-0002-5377-2173, University of Gothenburg, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume74
Pages102413
Publication date2021-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueElectoral Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0261-3794 • E-ISSN: 1873-6890
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.electstud.2021.102413
OpenAlexW3082555807
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited48

Recent studies show that policy changes appear to correspond primarily to the preferences of citizens with high socio-economic status. However, the mechanisms explaining this trend remain largely unexplored. In this paper, I look closer at the role of political representatives as the critical factor connecting citizens' opinions and policy changes. While the link between public opinion and elite opinion as well as the link between public opinion and policy output is relatively well studied, few studies have looked at the entire relationship between public opinion, elite opinion, and policy output concerning social groups. This paper combines data from Swedish election studies, surveys with members of parliament, and a database of policy change. It shows that representatives' opinions reflect advantaged groups better than disadvantaged groups. Similar biases are found in policy responsiveness; policy changes correspond more closely to the opinions of the advantaged groups

Disadvantaged · Elite · Parliament · Policy studies · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Public policy · Representation (politics · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Politics and Representation · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration

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