The Dual Influence of Self-Interest and Societal Interest in Public Opinion

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Abstract
Evidence that political attitudes are influenced by a concern for socetal interest has been viewed with skepticism since expressions of societal interest could reflect a disguised self-interest. More convincing evidence of societal interest motivations requires citizens to sacrifice self-interest in public policy opinions. The present study examines the influence of both self and societal interest in order to test whether self-sacrifice underlies public policy opinions. A value commitment to societal interest is expected to explain support for government-sponsored solutions to socetal needs and, further, to moderate reliance on self-interest. Using data from the NES 1990-92 panel survey, OLS regression is used to evaluate opinion in three different policy areas. Results showed that a societal inteest value has consequences for policy attitudes that are independent of self-interest. Further, a societal interest value commitment tended to moerate the connection between policy preference and self-interest. These results suggest that citizens incorporate both self and societal interest cosiderations when evaluating public policy proposals. Citizens are not copletely selfless, however. Citizens seem more willing to engage in self-sarifice when that sacrifice involves giving over benefits to others than when it involves giving up benefits to themselves. Under important limiting conditions, then, citizens sometimes set aside personal interest in favor of societal interest when making political judgments.

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