Perceptions of (unequal) responsiveness and their consequences for electoral participation

Research on a variety of democracies has shown that there is a link between mass preferences and public policy. It has also been documented that public policy tends to be more responsive to the preferences of affluent citizens. We know little, however, about citizens’ perceptions of policy responsiveness and their consequences for electoral participation. This manuscript addresses this issue by analysing citizens’ perceptions of policy responsiveness and of unequal policy responsiveness, the extent to which these perceptions vary by income, as well as the effect of those perceptions on turnout across various income groups. Using data from an original survey conducted in 13 western democracies in 2019, the analyses reveal that most citizens from all income groups are skeptical about their influence on policy and perceive a bias in policy making that favors the rich. These perceptions are associated with lower levels of participation, especially among the low-income groups.