Scholarship often focuses on democratic responsiveness by examining whether political outcomes reflect public opinion. However, we argue that scholars have overlooked attitudes toward how power is used to achieve those policies.
Survey Experiments:
Three nationally representative survey experiments across various policy domains revealed the public reacts negatively when policies are achieved through unilateral presidential action rather than legislation passed by Congress.
*Observational Study & Historical Analysis:
Our findings further demonstrate these costs impact supporters and detractors differently. Specifically, we show that attitudes toward unilateral action in general affect how respondents evaluate specific policies presidents enact unilaterally.
Policy Implications:
These results suggest public opinion may significantly constrain presidents' use of unilateral powers.
