image: In his new book, Michigan State University political scientist Matt Grossmann argues Washington politicians pay little attention to public opinion when making policy. view more
Credit: Oxford University Press
EAST LANSING, Mich. — If it seems the federal government has largely ignored the public's biggest concerns for the past 70 years, it's because it has, contends a new book by a Michigan State University political scientist.
In "Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks and American Policy Change Since 1945," Matt Grossmann argues the president, Congress and Supreme Court have failed to respond to popular opinion when passing laws or issuing executive orders and decisions that lead to new policy.
More often than not, attempts at policymaking get bogged down with political infighting and fail to produce results. And when new policy is successful, it's most often driven by interest groups and behind-the-scenes deals among elite powerbrokers, with little public input.
Two examples are gun control and student loan reform. Following the December 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, public opinion supporting gun control surged, though policymakers failed to forge agreement. Student loan reform, however, stayed under the public radar and deals struck in the White House and Congress brought policy change.
"The public plays a surprisingly limited role in policy outcomes," Grossmann said. "In fact, there is no domestic policy where public opinion is the dominant factor in policy results."
In a related opinion piece for the Washington Post, Grossmann said conservatives complain that most policies under debate are liberal and that Republican leaders sacrifice conservative principles when they comprise with liberals.
History shows the conservatives are right on both counts, he says.
For the book, Grossmann studied the 509 most significant domestic policies passed by Congress since 1945. Only 21 percent of the policies were conservative, in that they shrunk government, while more than 60 percent were liberal by clearly expanding government.
Not surprisingly, liberals play greater roles in bringing about new policy. When government is more active, it is usually moving policy to the left, Grossmann said.
For those policymakers aiming to achieve conservative objectives, Grossmann said their best bet may actually be obstructionism. Even policymaking designed to promote markets, safeguard morality and protect homeland security typically expands government.
"History shows that a do-nothing Congress is a conservative's best-case scenario," Grossmann said.