ABSTRACT
Political scientists using various research techniques have documented a robust congruence between aggregated public opinion and public policies (Eriksom, MacKuen and Stinson 2002; Monroe 1998; Page and Shapiro 1983; Patrick 2012). Page and Shapiro (1983) even suggest that public opinion is often a proximate cause of policy, affecting policy more than policy influences opinion. In addition, responsiveness is now a central concern of various normative and empirical theories of democracy. In response to citizens’ need to have a more responsive and democratic public administration, it is important for public policy makers to obtain public opinions during the policymaking process.
