Fulfilling Campaign Promises or Following Public Opinion

Does the Size of the Majority Matter

Bibliographic Data

ID6237928
AuthorsMaxime Coulombe (0000-0001-5449-4577, Université de Montréal, corresponding author), André Blais (0000-0003-4292-110X, Université de Montréal), Maria-Alexis Alfaro (Université de Montréal), Sofia Carbonaro (Université de Montréal), Tristan Trinque (Université de Montréal)
Year2021
Volume54
Issue2
Pages463-470
Publication date2021-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCanadian Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0008-4239 • E-ISSN: 1744-9324
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s000842392100007x
OpenAlexW3137412715
LanguageEN
References cited15

We perform a survey experiment on the issue of immigration. People are presented with a situation where public opinion is at odds with the election promise. In our control group, no information is given about public opinion. In the treatment groups, respondents are told that 55 per cent or 80 per cent of the people are against the project. When respondents are informed about the election promise but are not told about public opinion, 64 per cent say that the party should fulfill its promise. That percentage drops to 51 per cent when people are informed that a slight majority (55 per cent) are opposed to the project and to 42 per cent when they are told that a strong majority (80 per cent) are opposed. Citizens thus believe that politicians should pay attention not only to the majority view but also to the size of that majority

Immigration · Logistic regression · Odds · Opinion poll · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Public relations · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Game Theory and Voting Systems · Law · Media Influence and Politics · Medicine

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