PUBLIC OPINION, PUBLIC POLICY AND THE WELFARE STATE

In: Political studies, Band 40, Heft 1, S. 212-237

Abstract

A RECURRING PROBLEM IN POLITICAL ANALYSIS IS TO LINK PUBLIC OPINION TO PUBLIC POLICY. THE BURGEONING LITERATURE ON PUBLIC OPINION AND THE CRISIS OF THE WELFARE STATE HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE A CONSISTENT ACCOUNT OF WHAT ASPECTS OF POLICY MIGHT BE DRIVEN BY PUBLIC DEMAND OR VICE VERSA. THE INTERPRETATIONS OF SURVEY DATA ARE EITHER MISLEADING OR HIGHLY SELECTIVE. THIS APPLIES TO TWO CRUCIAL AREAS, ATTITUDES TOWARD POOR MINORITIES AND OPINIONS ABOUT STATE AND PRIVATE WELFARE. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS OF LINKING POLICY AND OPINION AND TO OFFER SOME GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR RESEARCH IN THIS AREAS, THIS PAPER ATTEMPTS TO CLARIFY SOME OF THESE DIFFICULTIES.