New experimental research reveals how Congress can mobilize public opinion to oppose presidential unilateral actions.
Experimental Evidence Shows...
Methodology: Five experiments using nationally representative surveys. Key Finding 1: Congressional challenges successfully eroded support for presidential unilateralism across foreign and domestic policy domains. Key Finding 2: Explicit arguments about congressional prerogatives were particularly influential in swaying public opinion against the president's use of power. Additional Insight: Constitutional objections raised by members of Congress proved more effective than other types.
This research resolves a debate regarding Congressional constraints on the presidency and demonstrates their capacity to influence political dynamics, even outside legislative checks.
| Mobilizing the Public Against the President: Congress and the Political Costs of Unilateral Action was authored by Douglas Kriner and Dino Christenson. It was published by Wiley in AJPS in 2017. |
