Initiative-Centered Politics

by McCuan, David; STAMBOUGH, STEPHEN

• ISBN13: 9780890892800
• ISBN10: 0890892806
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-01
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Press

Summary

Do we have a system of "too much democracy?" Has the rise of ballot measures in the United States somehow assaulted the practice of democracy across the nation? In this volume, contributors take stock of how the initiative process has fared thus far, while positing future directions for direct legislation. The rise of direct democracy across states and localities has shown how the initiative process is essential to public policy throughout the country. This volume brings together a diverse group of scholars presenting direct democracy research across high-use and low-use states and across issue dimensions at all levels of government. It will be invaluable for all who are interested in direct democracy.

Author Biography

Stephen Stambough is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fullerton.

Table of Contents

Progressive reforms and the twenty-first century : the new "parallel legislature" of direct democracy	p. 3
Voters, candidates, and institutions : can voters make sense of institutions? : can candidates make sense of voters?	p. 11
Ballot initiatives and voter turnout	p. 33
Can't buy me love : interest group status and the role of political professionals in direct democracy	p. 51
The impact of campaign finance on ballot issue outcomes	p. 77
The initiative to party : the role of political parties in state ballot initiatives	p. 97
The three strikes initiative : the impact of racial and ethnic composition on voting patterns and attitudes toward crime	p. 121
Race, capitalism and the media : a study of proposition 209 editorials	p. 157
Referenda wars in Cincinnati : the battle over strong mayors and sports stadiums	p. 189
Orange crush : mobilization of bias, ballot initiatives, and the politics of professional sports stadia	p. 215
Direct democracy in the twenty-first century : likely trends and directions	p. 259
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