Who governs?
Subtitle: presidents, public opinion, and manipulation
By: James N. Druckman and Lawrence R. Jacobs
Contributors: Jacobs, Lawrence R., author
Series: Chicago studies in American politics; Chicago studies in American politics
Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; The University of Chicago Press
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 183
ISBN-13: 9780226234380; 9780226234410
Subjects: Politics and government; Presidents; Public opinion; Democracy
Description: America s model of representational government rests on the premise that elected officials respond to the opinions of citizens. This is a myth, however, not a reality, according to James N. Druckman and Lawrence R. Jacobs. In "Who Governs?," Druckman and Jacobs combine existing research with novel data from US presidential archives to show that presidents make policy by largely ignoring the views of most citizens in favor of affluent and well-connected political insiders. Presidents treat the public as pliable, priming it to focus on personality traits and often ignoring it on policies that fail to become salient. Melding big debates about democratic theory with existing research on American politics and innovative use of the archives of three modern presidents -Johnson, Nixon, and Reagan- Druckman and Jacobs deploy lively and insightful analysis to show that the conventional model of representative democracy bears little resemblance to the actual practice of American politics. The authors conclude by arguing that polyarchy and the promotion of accelerated citizen mobilization and elite competition can improve democratic responsiveness. An incisive study of American politics and the flaws of representative government, this book will be warmly welcomed by readers interested in US politics, public opinion, democratic theory, and the fecklessness of American leadership and decision-making. -- Publisher description
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-175) and index.
Table of contents: title: Political representation and presidential manipulation; title: Presidential crafted talk and democratic theory; title: The political strategy of tracking the public; title: Presidential strategies to shape public opinion; title: How White House strategy drives the collection and use of its polling; title: Segmented representation; title: Elite strategies to prime issues and image; title: America's democratic dilemmas; title: The effects and limits of presidential efforts to move public opinion; title: Rethinking representation.