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VOP & The Crisis of Democracy
Finding Common Ground
National Surveys
Policymaking Simulations
News Ticker
[ August 1, 2019 ]                        
Shown Budget Deficit, Bipartisan Majorities Agree on Steps to Cut It Deeply, Primarily by Raising Taxes on High Incomes
Federal Budget
[ July 23, 2019 ]                        
Majorities of MD-8 Voters From Both Parties Agree on Reforms to Address Money in Politics, Gerrymandering   
Government Reform
[ June 26, 2019 ]                        
Large Bipartisan Majorities Favor Growing Trade Through International Agreements
Trade
[ February 4, 2019 ]                        
Two-Thirds Oppose US Withdrawal From Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, New Survey Finds
Defense
[ January 30, 2019 ]                        
Major Study Finds 2020 Voters Seeking Candidates Who Will Be More Responsive to the People
Citizen Cabinet
Search for:
Voice of the People
THE CRISIS
Public Dissatisfaction
with Government
Numerous polls show that the American people’s confidence in the Federal government, especially Congress, has reached startlingly low levels. Americans say that they perceive elected officials as listening to and being influenced by special interests, campaign donors and lobbyists, but being largely out of touch with the people.  They believe this contributes to polarization and gridlock and, most importantly, undermines elected officials responsibility to do what is best for the nation as a whole.  Research shows that there are substantial gaps between what the government does and what the public thinks it should do.
Americans perceive that this is a violation of a kind of ‘contract’ between government and the people that goes back to the founding of the Republic. Indeed as Alexander Hamilton said, “A government ought to [be]… free from every other control but a regard to the public good and to the sense of the people.”
This low level of public trust is a problem for many democratic governments, suggesting that there is truly a crisis of democracy.  It plays an important role in the success of ‘populist’ outsider candidates who use the perception of governments' failure to serve the people to justify 'illiberal' ideas and policies.
THE PEOPLE'S DEMAND
A Greater Voice for the People as a Whole
Americans today believe that the people should have a greater voice in government.  They are not asking for direct democracy, but they do think that elected officials should listen to and be responsive to the people they represent considerably more than they are now.
Americans believe that if their elected representatives were to be more responsive to the people:
they would be more likely to find common ground (research shows that the public is much less polarized than Congress);
this could help counter the power of special interests and make government more likely to serve the common good.
Of course, most Membe