Predicted-probability shifts across actor distributions operationalize relative policy influence.

Evidence

A helpful way to assess the relative influence of each set of actors is to compare how the predicted probability of policy change alters when moving from one point to another on their distributions of policy dispositions, while holding other actors’ preferences constant at their neutral points (50 percent favorable for average citizens and for economic elites, and a net interestgroup alignment score of 0). — Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, Testing Theories of American Politics, 96

Categorization

• DEFINE: This is the exact empirical instrument for measuring relative influence — the counterfactual thought experiment of moving one actor’s dispositions while pegging the others at neutral.
• XREF: Directly answers the reader’s search for the operationalization of policy responsiveness by income percentile (10th/50th/90th) independent of narrative self-presentation. — connects to: Political actors’ influence varies with opportunity, position, and skill

Broader Connections

• Political actors’ influence varies with opportunity, position, and skill #qualifies (0.78)