Constructing public Opinion Justin Lewis

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Resistance and Consent in Public Opinion Public Opinion and Public Policy Does the success of a conservative business agenda in the US indicate broad public support for such a program? Public Opposition to Business Agenda On any number of economic issues, public opinion is more far more liberal than that of the elite political establishment. Elites: Socially Liberal, Economically Conservative

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Resistance and Consent in Public Opinion Political Economy of Power: Lewis Argument The nation’s conservative business agenda is not a product of direct public approval or consent. Rather, it is a consequence of specific political economy geared to elites interests.

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Resistance and Consent in Public Opinion Features of Elite-Governed Political System 1) Weak Campaign Finance Reform 2) Weak Political Parties 3) Powerful Lobbying Groups 4) Public Relations Driven Campaigns

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Resistance and Consent in Public Opinion Structuring Public Opinion: Views of Donors v. Voters Center For Responsive Politics found that donors were politically far to the right of general public. “Donors tend to be mainly wealthy, upper-status men, who tend to have conservative views, especially on economic issues.” (Green, Herrnson, Powell and Wilcox 1988)

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Deflecting Cynicism From Power Public Opinion and Rates of Political Participation in the US Who votes in the US? Who doesn’t, and Why? Variables Effecting Participation: 1) Trust in Government 2) Perception of Runs Government

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Variables Effecting Participation: 1) Trust in Government Is Government “run by big interests” or “is it run for the benefit of the people?” Since 1970s: Most Americans think the government is run by “big interests,” or “special interests.” (70% by 1990s).

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Variables Effecting Participation: 1) Trust in Government Trust in government also varies by income. % Believe they Have No Say in Government Professionals: 44% Unskilled Workers: 80%

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Variables Effecting Participation: 2) Defining “Big Interests” Curiously, belief that “big interests” run the government does not vary by income, or gender, or race. Big Interests: “Contesting,” rather than “Having” Power The reason for this apparent anomaly is that the public generally associates the idea of “big interest” with anyone who contests power.

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Big Interests: “Contesting,” rather than “Having” Power Who is a “Big” or “Special Interest?” A series of polls taken of students Sept ’95 Sept ’96 Sept ‘99 Citizens Groups: 37% 46% 63% Businesses/Corporations: 34% 23% 34%

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Frameworks of Assumption: The Establishment of Consent Three assumptions have become central to the narrative that the US political system is broadly representative, rather than elite-dominated: 1) Left versus Right Framework of Reporting 2) Downplaying Economic Issues in Politics 3) US as Model of Free, Democratic Society

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Frameworks of Assumption: The Establishment of Consent 1) Left versus Right Framework of Reporting The political debates are frequently framed as right versus left. Who is Left and Right? There is a tendency to stress the differences between the two majority parties, especially on “social issues.” Ex: Clinton as Left

Political Spectrum: US Politics Right: Private Negative Liberty: Freedom Free… Left: Public Positive. Liberty: Freedom To… Center: Public-Private Hybrid Less Government Scale More

Political Spectrum: US Politics Right: Private Negative Liberty: Freedom Free… Left: Public Positive. Liberty: Freedom To… Center: Public-Private Hybrid Less Government Scale More Private Democratic Party Public

Political Spectrum: US Politics Right: Private Negative Liberty: Freedom Free… Left: Public Positive. Liberty: Freedom To… Center: Public-Private Hybrid Less Government Scale More Private Democratic Party Public Private Insurance Health Care No public option

Political Spectrum: US Politics Right: Private Negative Liberty: Freedom Free… Left: Public Positive. Liberty: Freedom To… Center: Public-Private Hybrid Less Government Scale More Private Republican Party Public Private Investment Social Security Public

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy Frameworks of Assumption: The Establishment of Consent 2) Downplaying Economic Issues in Politics The emphasis on the differences of opinion between parties on “social issues” conceals a general consensus among political elites on economic policy. Elites: Socially Liberal, Economically Conservative

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy 2) Downplaying Economic Issues in Politics Media Coverage of Economic Issues The media does not cover economic issues as a question of competing political philosophy.

Selling Unrepresentative Democracy 2) Downplaying Economic Issues in Politics Who Gives to Which Party? Lobbying Lobbying: Top Spenders Lobbying: Sectors Candidates

US Public Opinion

Manufacturing Consent