Levy yeyati, Moscovich, Abuin Leader over Policy The Scope of Elite Influence on Policy Preferences (original) (raw)

ABSTRACT Elite policy endorsement is a powerful form of framing and public opinion is sensitive to it. Using original data from a survey experiment in a polarized political setting, we explore the role of leader and party sponsorship in shaping public opinion over policies. We find that both leader and party cues affect policy preferences, regardless of the intrinsic nature of the policy. The influence of sponsorship is strong enough to polarize opinions over ex-ante non-divisive issues. Furthermore, some leaders and parties appear to be more influential than others, both for their supporters and their detractors. In addition, we assess how endorsement effects alter policymakers’ ability to undertake relevant reforms. We find a negative net effect of endorsement on public policy approval: the positive effect generated in party and leader´s supporters is outweighed by the growth in rejection from detractors. Finally, we provide evidence on the limits to de-polarization, documenting the ineffectiveness of bipartisan sponsorship and “against-type” endorsement to broaden policy support.