Interest Groups and the Legitimacy of Governance

• In Event: Unequal Responsiveness in Advanced Democracies

Abstract

There is evidence of unequal policy responsiveness across different countries. Much of this research suggests that economic inequality is of special importance, and that political elites pay more attention to the positions and priorities of the rich. Most of the research does not consider the role of political parties, and how this mitigates and/or explains the unequal responsiveness we observe. In this paper, we take up this issue and examine the extent to which different parties represent different parts of the public, focusing specifically on issue priorities. We assess agenda responsiveness across different economic subgroups and party supporters. Drawing on data from election surveys and the Comparative Manifesto Project, our analysis will document whether – and to what degree – unequal agenda responsiveness is a function of party politics.

Authors

• Anne Rasmussen, University of Copenhagen

• Stefanie Reher, University of Strathclyde