Responsiveness and models of representation

Abstract

Researchontheopinion-policylinkhasshownthatthereisaconnectionbetween public preferencesandimplementedpolicy,albeitbiasedtowardsthepreferencesof the a uent.Wearguethatweneedtolooknotonlytheincomebias,butalsoatthe politicalcontentofthepolicies.Aretheresystematicbiasesagainstcertaintypes of policiesthatcausesuchpoliciestobeundersuppliedrelativetopreferences?We combinesurveydataonawiderangeofissuesfromovertwomillionrespondents with manuallycodeddataonimplementedpoliciesin43countriesovertime.We nd thatthereisapositiverelationshipbetweenopinionandpolicy,butalso nd evidence ofaresponsivenessgap:inmostcountries,implementedpoliciesaremore economically conservativethanwhatthepublicprefers,andtooculturallyliberal.