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What Moves Public Opinion?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

Benjamin I. Page ,
Robert Y. Shapiro  and
Glenn R. Dempsey
Benjamin I. Page
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin and NORC
Robert Y. Shapiro
Affiliation:
Columbia University and NORC
Glenn R. Dempsey
Affiliation:
University of Chicago and NORC
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Abstract

Democratic theory must pay attention to what influences public opinion. In this study the content of network television news is shown to account for a high proportion of aggregate changes (from one survey to another) in U.S. citizens' policy preferences. Different news sources have different effects. News commentators (perhaps reflecting elite or national consensus or media biases) have a very strong positive impact, as do experts. Popular presidents tend to have positive effects, while unpopular presidents do not. In contrast, special interest groups tend to have a negative impact.

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Articles
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American Political Science Review , Volume 81 , Issue 1 , March 1987 , pp. 23 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 1987

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