![]() ![]() It is sometimes asked whether leaders do consult polls and whether polls have any impact of policy. ![]() Without polls, it would be all that much harder to verify and combat claims of public sentiment made by politicians, elites, lobbyists, and interest groups. ![]() Storied political scientist V.O Key said: “The poll furnishes a means for the deflation of the extreme claims of pressure groups and for the testing of their extravagant claims of public sentiment in support of their demands.”įurthermore, surveys provide a critical check and balance to other claims of what the American public demands in terms of policies and their government. George Gallup summarized the role of polls quite succinctly when he said, “Without polls, would be guided only by letters to congressmen, the lobbying of pressure groups, and the reports of political henchmen.”įurther, Democratic theory notes the critical, if not the pivotal role, of public opinion and democratic practice. Historically, there has been much to say on the role of public opinion in democracy. My early papers, in fact, wholly either provided criticism of, or underscored the critical value of, public opinion and public opinion polls.Īnd so in some respects, this Presidential Address is for me, completes a full circle of thought and passion I have for AAPOR, for today I would like to discuss matters pertaining to the need to reconsider, strengthen, and advance the mission of survey research in democracy. But in fact, my path to AAPOR had nothing to do with methodology. “Many of you know me primarily as a methodologist. ![]()
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