Congruence between policy and affluent preferences cannot distinguish blocking from enacting power.

Evidence

Previous research on the opinion-­policy link has largely ignored this distinction, which limits our understanding of the causal mechanisms behind observed inequalities. We know that policy tends to align with the preferences of high-­income citizens. But is it because high-­income citizens can enforce the change they want, or because they are happy with the way things are? — Mikael Persson and Anders Sundell, Blocking the Poor, 28

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: Reframes an entire literature’s central finding as an unresolved question about mechanism: is alignment active dominance or passive contentment? The answer changes what reform even means.
• XREF: Connects to Gilens and Page’s ‘Testing Theories of American Politics’ and the broader oligarchy-versus-drift debate in US politics research. — connects to: General public opinion barely moves policy outcomes when elite preferences are held constant. — Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, Testing Theories of American Politics:…, 97; Powerful business interest groups actively oppose average citizens’ policy preferences. — Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, Testing Theories of American Politics:…, 133; Correlated elite and mass preferences do not reflect citizen influence on policy. — Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, Testing Theories of American Politics:…, 135 (+1 more)