James H. Stimson, Dawson Professor of Political Science at UNC, Chapel Hill, argues that public opinion drives American politics, and that political change is the result of shifts in public opinion. For Stimson, not all opinion change is the same. Sometimes, opinion change is fast and responsive, such as the spikes in presidential approval immediately after a national crisis or the fluctuations in presidential horserace polls during election campaigns. Other change is almost glacial or tidal in pace and occurs in such small increments that it is almost always overlooked as it is occurring. Club member and reviewer, Jeanne Schiff, who holds a PhD in Public Affairs from UCF, brings a special level of understanding and expertise to Stimson’s subject, which promises to make this an especially interesting review for everyone.
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