Political efficacy & responsiveness

Over the years, how much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do – a good deal, some, or not much?

Government responsiveness index, 100-pt scale

‘Voting is the only way that people like me can have any (1956-1964: a) say about how the government runs things.’

1988-1992: (IF YES:) How satisfied was this (person/group) with the response?

(IF YES: ) Did this (person/group) get a response?

(IF YES: ) Did you get a response from [running U.S. House incumbent] or someone in his/her office?

(IF YES:) How satisfied were you with the response: very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not very satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

If you had (another/a) problem that [running U.S. House incumbent] could do something about, do you think (he/she) would be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful?

A. People like me don't have any say about what the government does

How much attention do you think most Congressmen pay to the people who elect them when they decide what to do in Congress, a good deal, some, or not much?

How much do you feel that political parties help to make the government pay attention to what the people think, a good deal, some or not much?

‘Generallyspeaking, those we elect to Congress in Washington lose touch with the people pretty quickly.’

‘Parties are only interested in people’s votes but not in their opinions.’

How well do you understand the important political issues facing our country? Extremely well, very well, moderately well, slightly well, or not well at all?

How often do politics and government seem so complicated that you can’t really understand what’s going on? All the time, most of the time, about half the time, some of the time, or never?

{INTERVIEWER: DO NOT PROBE DON’T KNOW}

{INTERVIEWER: DO NOT PROBE DON’T KNOW}

C. I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of the important political issues facing our country

F. People we elect to Congress try to keep the promises they have made during the election

C. The average citizen has considerable influence on politics.

(IF YES:) How satisfied were you with the response: very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not very satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

(IF YES: ) Did you get a response from [U.S. House representative] or someone in his/her office?

(IF YES: ) Did this (person/group) get a response?

If you had (another/a) problem that [retiring OR running U.S. House representative] could do something about, do you think (he/she) would be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful?

1986,1990: (IF YES:) How satisfied was this (person/group) with the response?

A. I don't think the government cares much what people like me think.

D. To keep watch on the actions of government

E. I think most people are better informed about politics and government than I am

If you made such an effort, how likely is it that the Congress would give serious attention to your demands?

C. I think most people in America are better informed about politics and government than I am.

If such a case arose, how likely is it that you, acting alone or together with others, would be able to try to do something about it?

B. I feel I have a pretty good understanding of the important political issues facing America.

A. Political parties encourage people to become active in politics

B. Political parties do not give voters real policy choices

C. Elected officials

C. Elected officials

B. Elected Officials

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?… The people, and not politicians, should make our most important policy decisions.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?… There is a conflict between the ordinary people and those in power in America.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?… Politicians talk too much and take too little action.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Most politicians in America do not care about reducing the differences in income between people with high incomes and people with low incomes.

And which do you think has the second most influence on the actions of the American government?

:remarks: '

Here are two options about what affects policies in America. Which of them comes closest to your view?

How much influence does the average citizen have on politics: None, a little, some, quite a bit, or a great deal?

How much say do people like you have about what the government Does: None, a little, some, quite a bit, or a great deal?

How often do the people we elect to Congress try to keep the promises they have made during the election: Never, rarely, sometimes, very often, or extremely often?

B. Elected officials

B. Elected officials

In your opinion, how often do public officials deal fairly with people like you?

D. That politicians take into account the views of citizens before making decisions

Please indicate which of the following statements comes closer to describing you by circling the appropriate letter:

Which of these two statements comes closer to your view?

Suppose you wanted the local government to bring about some improvement in your local community. How likely is it that you would be able to do something about it?

B. Even the best politician cannot have much impact because of the way government works

If you had some complaint about a local government activity and took that complaint to a member of the local government council, would you expect him or her to pay a lot of attention to what you say, some attention, very little attention, or none at all?

How much influence do you think people like you can have over local government decisions -- a lot, a moderate amount, a little, or none at all?

F. The average person has a great deal of influence on government decisions.

G. The government is generally responsive to public opinion.

A. The public has little control over what politicians do in office

E. People like me have much to say about government.

I. By taking an active part in political and social affairs the people can control world affairs.

D. The average person has much to say about running local government.

B. The average person can get nowhere by talking to public officials.

A. The people running the country don't really care what happens to you.

E. Most people with power try to take advantage of people like yourself.

C. What you think doesn't count very much anymore.

F. The people in Washington, D.C. are out of touch with the rest of the country.