Radical with Amol Rajan Do Polls Influence Public Opinion? (Your Radical Questions with James Kanagasooriam)
Mar 16, 2026
James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer at Focaldata and honorary professor, explains his idea of agency in politics and social mobility. Short takes explore how income, mentoring and social capital shape opportunity. They debate political promises versus hard trade-offs. Finally, he discusses whether opinion polls sway voters and how journalists should report them.
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Agency Defined And Its Political Importance
- Agency means believing you control your life and decisions.
- James Kanagasooriam finds ~60% of people report agency while ~25–30% do not, shaping optimism and desire for change.
Agency Explains Status Quo Versus Change
- People with agency are more pro-status quo, optimistic, and trusting; those without agency are more pessimistic and want bigger change.
- James argues this axis (status quo vs maximal change) now helps explain UK politics beyond left–right divisions.
Pair Agency Messaging With Real Resources
- Enhancing agency likely aids social mobility because it changes life decisions and optimism.
- James cautions interventions must pair belief with real institutions and resources like libraries, clubs or funding to be effective.
