Follow the Leader?: How Voters Respond to Politicians' Policies and Performance

摘要: In a democracy, we have come to assume that people know the policies they prefer and elect like-minded officials who are responsible for carrying them out. But does this actually happen? Do citizens consider candidates' policy positions when deciding whom they'll vote for? And how do politicians' performances in office factor into voting decision? "Follow Leader?", Gabriel S. Lenz sheds light on these central questions surrounding democratic thought. looks at citizens' views candidates both before after periods of political upheaval, including campaigns, wars, natural disasters, episodes economic boom bust. Noting important shifts voters' preferences as result events, he explains that, while assess politicians based their performance, matter much less. Even issue becomes highly prominent, often reluctant shift votes politician whose position best agrees with own. fact, shows, reverse takes place: first pick then adopt politician's views. Based original data drawn from multiple countries, Leader?" is most definitive treatment date why performance booth, it will break new ground debates about campaigns.