Bicameralism and Policy Responsiveness to Public Opinion

Does the organization of assembly affect whether governments deliver policy that reflects public's changing preferences? Cross-national analyses public opinion and outputs for policies concerning welfare immigration show respond to shifts in systems with a dominant chamber but not where bicameralism is strong. Our theory's emphasis on distribution power between chambers further explains differences within bicameral systems: constraints change mean responsiveness weaker equally distributed more robust concentrated lower house. Evidence from institutional Belgium, fourth state reform shifted away senate disproportionately toward house, provides corroborating evidence becomes responsive when constitutions concentrate legislative power. This study's findings have implications our understanding how matters government opinion.