EurekAlert! – Staff Writer
“It is a widespread belief that political decisions are usually influenced by public opinion. Even if the next election still is a long way off, political decision-makers seem to react sensitively to the slightest changes in public sentiment. On the other hand, politicians are often accused of basing their decisions too much on the interests of influential associations and lobby groups, or that they focus their actions too much on party politics instead of the common good.” (more)