Silent Voices: Social Welfare Policy Opinions and Political Equality in America

In: American journal of political science: AJPS, Band 46, Heft 2, S. 276-287

Abstract

I demonstrate that both inequalities in politically relevant resources & the larger political culture surrounding social welfare policy issues disadvantage those groups who are natural supporters of the welfare state. These supporters -- the economically disadvantaged & those who support principles of political equality -- are less easily able to form coherent & consistent opinions on such policies than those well endowed with politically relevant resources. Those predisposed to champion the maintenance & expansion of welfare state programs are, as a result, less likely to articulate opinions on surveys. Thus, public opinion on social welfare policy controversies gives disproportionate weight to respondents opposed to expanding the government's role in the economy. This "exclusion bias" -- a phenomenon to this point ignored in the political science literature -- is a notable source of bias in public opinion: the "voice" of those who abstain from the social welfare policy questions is different from those who respond to such items. This result mirrors the patterns of inequality found in traditional forms of political participation. Opinion polls may therefore reinforce, not correct, the inegalitarian shortcomings of traditional forms of political participation. 5 Tables, 1 Appendix, 24 References. Adapted from the source document.