This study examines how initiatives affect state public policy congruence.
Using Erikson et al.'s opinion liberalism model expanded by Gray et al.,
the research explores the interaction between public opinion, organized interests,
and direct democracy mechanisms across U.S. states.
🔍 Data & Methods
We analyze variance in predictors of state policy liberalism using multiple models
while distinguishing between initiative and non-initiative states.
📊 Findings
Our results indicate that initiatives do not fundamentally alter the congruence
between public opinion and state policies, contrary to some theoretical expectations.
💡 Implications
These findings suggest direct democracy mechanisms may not significantly change
the relationship between citizen preferences and policy outcomes in U.S. states.
| Public Opinion, Organized Interests, and Policy Congruence in Initiative and Noninitiative U.S. States was authored by James Monogan, Virginia Gray and David Lowery. It was published by Sage in SPPQ in 2009. |
