And it is important that the shift be large and clear because legislators want to be sure that their votes reflect real changes in public opinion – changes not likely to be reversed before the next election, when their votes may be held against them. (Arnold 1990; Page & Shapiro 1983).
(Burstein, 1998: 37) Burstein, P. (1998) Bringing the Public Back In: Should Sociologists Consider the Impact of Public Opinion on Public Policy? Social Forces 77 (1): 27-62.
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