Public Opinion vs. Power Networks: What Truly Drives U.S. Policy?

Dr. Matt Grossmann, Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) and Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University, joins us to unpack the central ideas from his book, “Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks and American Policy Change since 1945.” This episode explores how American policy really changes, highlighting that it is driven less by mass public opinion and more by long-term governing networks of parties, interest groups, experts, and institutions. Host Deepak Bhatt speaks with Dr. Matt Grossmann about his book Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks and American Policy Change Since 1945, discussing his large-scale review of policy histories across 14 domestic issue areas. Drawing on this research, Dr. Grossmann explains that presidents, while highly visible, are only one part of policymaking, and that durable change usually emerges from broad coalitions of organized interests, congressional actors, and policy entrepreneurs working over many years. He contrasts policy areas like energy and environmental policy, shows how American institutions favor incremental liberal expansion under strong status quo bias, and examines how high support proposals can still fail while enacted policies tend to reflect supermajority backing. Through examples such as Bush-era “quiet” energy provisions versus more visible Biden initiatives, he offers practical lessons for advocates on coalition building, strategic compromise, and the advantages of low-profile, bipartisan policy design. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. For more information, please visit www.globalmanagementconsultancy.com. Disclaimer: A. The background music incorporated in this video is the intellectual property of its respective developer and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Notwithstanding that it is a free-to-use version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy, and Deepak Bhatt do not own, and expressly do not claim, any rights, title, or interest in or to this music. B. Dr. Matt Grossmann shared key insights from his book, “Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks and American Policy Change since 1945,” in an engaging episode of the Business Talk podcast. The uploaded video contains copyrighted content, so changing any graphics, music, or on-screen appearance of the author or host is not allowed.