Day 7: Direct Democracy Daniel J. Mallinson Political Science Stockton University Daniel.Mallinson@stockton.edu POLS 2209 Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 1 / 17
Road map Learn about the forms, functions, and availability of direct democracy Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 2 / 17
What is Direct Democracy? Referendum Public vote on statute or constitutional amendment already considered and passed by a legislature Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 3 / 17
What is Direct Democracy? Referendum Public vote on statute or constitutional amendment already considered and passed by a legislature Initiative Direct: Person or group files bill with state office, then collects signatures to get it on the ballot Indirect: Petition to have a bill considered by the legislature, rejection puts issue on the ballot Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 3 / 17
What is Direct Democracy? Referendum Public vote on statute or constitutional amendment already considered and passed by a legislature Initiative Direct: Person or group files bill with state office, then collects signatures to get it on the ballot Indirect: Petition to have a bill considered by the legislature, rejection puts issue on the ballot Recall Public petition to remove an elected official Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 3 / 17
Where are these available? Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 4 / 17
Where do these come from? Populist Origins, Progressive Advancement Spread between 1898 and 1914 Western states formed constitutions during Populist and Progressive Eras Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 5 / 17
State Usage 60% of activity in AZ, CA, CO, ND, OR, WA Single-subject rule: Initiatives limited to one subject (prevents logrolling) Qualifying for the ballot: 1 Drafting 2 Send title and summary to state office 3 Gather signatures 4 Signatures validated by the state and bill placed on ballot Variation in time for circulation, number of signatures, geographic distribution Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 6 / 17
Citizens or Interests? Need resources to field initiatives Can pay firms to collect signatures $800 million spent in 2008 Reality: best supported campaigns do not always win Wealthy interests not generally successful Prop 8 Ad 1 and 2 Prop 19 Ad Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 7 / 17
Ballotpedia Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 8 / 17
Connection with Electoral Politics Interactive effect Use as wedge issue by parties (e.g., same-sex marriage draws conservatives in 2004) Mobilization effects alter electorate Effects go both ways (e.g., Prop 8 in 2008) Typically boost turnout by a few points Mixed evidence of increases in trust and efficacy Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 9 / 17
Effects on Policy Run-around of the legislature Communicates public preferences Biggest impact: policies that structure gov t institutions (e.g., taxes, terms limits, spending caps) Long-term effect of constitutional changes Shirking on implementation Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 10 / 17
The Gun Behind the Door (Lascher et al. 1996) Questions How did it go? What is the gun behind the door? How does it work? What is the main research question? What are the findings? Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 11 / 17
Power of a Figure Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 12 / 17
Interpreting Regression Results Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 13 / 17
CA Budget: Democracy Problem? Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 14 / 17
CA Budget: Democracy Problem? Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 15 / 17
CA Budget: Democracy Problem? Constraints on spending allocation and revenue raising 33% of budget in 2009-10 (Matsusaka 2011) 2/3 vote required to raise taxes Can raise taxes and reduce non-education funding Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 16 / 17
Case For and Against For 1 Empowers grassroots 2 Weakens influence of special interests 3 Levels the playing field 4 Encourages engaged and informed citizenry Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 17 / 17
Case For and Against For 1 Empowers grassroots 2 Weakens influence of special interests 3 Levels the playing field 4 Encourages engaged and informed citizenry Against 1 Difficult for voters to understand nuance 2 Benefits of legislative deliberation 3 Tyranny of the majority 4 Cost of campaign and interest group influence Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 17 / 17
Case For and Against For 1 Empowers grassroots 2 Weakens influence of special interests 3 Levels the playing field 4 Encourages engaged and informed citizenry Against 1 Difficult for voters to understand nuance 2 Benefits of legislative deliberation 3 Tyranny of the majority 4 Cost of campaign and interest group influence What do you think? Mallinson Day 7 February 9, 2016 17 / 17