Policy overwhelmingly stays put even when majorities want something different.

Evidence

Policy change (B + D): 16.6%. The table shows the frequency of policy outcomes for questions in the data: status quo that is supported by at least 50% of respondents (A); change that is not supported by a majority (B), status quo that is not supported (C), and supported change (D). — Mikael Persson and Anders Sundell, Blocking the Poor, 81

Categorization

• SHARE: A perfect stat-drop for someone who tracks legislative gridlock or comparative policy responsiveness.
• CANDY: Only about one in six policy questions actually produces change — a dizzying number to share at a dinner party.