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Elections and Public Policy

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  • Ginsberg, Benjamin

Abstract

In the absence of historical opinion survey data, studies of the linkage between popular voting and American public policy have been confined to relatively recent time periods. Questions about these linkages, however, necessarily have a temporal dimension—what is the relationship between voting and policy over time? This paper establishes criteria for citizen policy choice that do not depend on opinion surveys. Data drawn from national party platforms and U.S. statutes, and aggregate voting data are compared to determine the extent to which majority choices are translated into national policy over time. Analysis of these data suggests that whether or not voters are completely aware of all of the implications of their actions, over time, popular majorities appear to govern.

Suggested Citation

  • Ginsberg, Benjamin, 1976. "Elections and Public Policy," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 70(1), pages 41-49, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:70:y:1976:i:01:p:41-49_26
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    Cited by:

    1. Emily Clough, 2008. "Still Converging? a Downsian Party System Without Polls," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 20(4), pages 461-476, October.
    2. Paul Burstein, 1978. "A New Method for Measuring Legislative Content and Change," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 6(3), pages 337-364, February.
    3. Robert K. Fleck, 1999. "Electoral Incentives, Public Policy, and the New Deal Realignment," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 65(3), pages 377-404, January.
    4. Francois Petry, 1988. "The Policy Impact of Canadian Party Programs: Public Expenditure Growth and Contagion from the Left," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 14(4), pages 376-389, December.
    5. Richard J. Stoll, 1984. "The Guns of November," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 28(2), pages 231-246, June.

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