Stimson discusses the idea of a general public mood about public policy. Describe the concept—what does he mean by mood and how it shapes and is shaped by the specific public policy debates. Are their issues that you think fit better than others into this general policy mood? Aside from the ones he mentions, are their issues that might not fit well? Are their issues that may fit better at certain times than at others? Which issues? Why?
Lastly I would like you to talk about one of the following four concepts and how it relates to mood.
1) How well mood might link to elections and explain election outcomes.
2) Can mood be used to attempt to find a “mandate” in election outcomes
3) How might the economy fit with mood—does the policy preferences of the electorate change with the economy or are these separate entities?
4) How should government output (public policy) move over time?
Due at the start of the second exam, May
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