Benjamin I. Page examines American politics and U.S. foreign policy, with a focus on public opinion, democratic policymaking, the media, and economic inequality. His seminal work explores the 'rationality' of public opinion, highlighting the stability and responsiveness of Americans' collective policy preferences to new information. Currently, he investigates the political attitudes and behaviors of wealthy Americans, analyzing how their interests often prevail despite differing views among average citizens. Page is dedicated to helping the public understand the barriers that impede democratic responsiveness.
Can a country be a democracy if its government only responds to the preferences of the rich? This book explores how political inequality in the United States has evolved over the last several decades and how this growing disparity has been shaped by interest groups, parties, and elections.
Drawing on surveys of public attitudes and analyses of more than 40 years of television and news-magazine stories on poverty, this book demonstrates how public opposition to welfare is fed by a potent combination of racial stereotypes and misinformation about the true nature of America's poor. schovat popis
More democracy -- Unequal wealth distorts politics -- What has gone wrong -- Thwarting the will of the people -- The political clout of wealthy Americans -- Corporations and interest groups -- Polarized parties and gridlock -- What can be done -- Equal voice for all citizens -- Overcoming gridlock and democratizing institutions -- How to do it -- A social movement for democracy -- Signs of progress