The Issue-Attention Cycle and Public Policy in the United States

Abstract

Four decades ago, Anthony Downs offered a compelling picture of the public policy issue-attention cycle. This paper offers a systematic test of how well 50 social issues in the United States fit the model over an extended period of time. A total of 29 issues that fit Downss model are analyzed in order to test Downss theory that an increase in public interest in an issue increases the governments efforts to address the issue. The results were quite mixed. For 11 issues, there was a positive relationship between the level of media attention and the number of bills passed. This provides partial support for Downss theory. Downs postulated that state intervention occurs when there is a high level of public concern. On the other hand, the results also reveal that a large number of policies were implemented when the level of media attention was not at its peak, resulting in either no relationship between attention and legislation or a negative relationship.