This study explores how citizens attribute blame to political actors based on policy outcomes and whether they can distinguish between deliberate versus unintended policy surprises.

Research Context

• The relationship between citizen preferences for certain policies
• Policy effectiveness perceptions
• Distinguishing intended from unexpected outcomes

Key Questions Examined

• To what extent do citizens assign responsibility based on policy results?
• How does the perception of intentional versus accidental policy surprises affect blame attribution?

Methodology and Findings

• Examined voting records, survey responses, and public statements
• Identified patterns in how citizens differentiate between planned and unplanned events
• Demonstrated that policy effectiveness is a primary determinant of attribution decisions