Direct Democracy In The United States: Petitioners As A Reflection Of Society (routledge Research In American Politics And Governance)

The increased use of direct democracy measures across the United States has brought attention to the individual petitioner however their motivations and goals continue to be an enigma. Drawing on behavioral, historical and legal analysis to provide a more concrete depiction of these individuals, expert contributors examine the true personalities, motivations and expectations, successes and failures of petitioners in the direct democracy process and how they culminate in policy formation across the United States. Six typologies; the zealot, the victim, the amateur, the lawyer, the professional, and the politician are identified and later applied to four key policy areas, taxation, health, the environment and education. A lucid contribution to the existing literature on direct democracy and an excellent resource for studying how petitioners are able to influence their communities beyond the ballot box. The State Of Petitioners / Shauna Reilly And Ryan M. Yonk -- Success From Amateur To Zealot : A Typology Of Initiative Activists / Mathew Manweller -- Governors At The Bully Ballot Box / Thomas Lubbock -- Petitioners And Policy Makers : State Legislator Perceptions Of Petitioners And Direct Democracy / Richard N. Engstrom And Jeff R. Dewitt -- Petitioners As A Reflection Of Their Community / Shauna Reilly And Whitney Mcintyre Miller -- Petitioners And Quality Of Life In Their Community / Shauna Reilly And Ryan M. Yonk -- Education And Amateurs : Changes To Education Finance By Petitioners / Damon Cann And Teena Wilhelm -- Petitioners In Health Care Policy : Complex Policy And Simple Decision Mechanisms / Roberta Q. Herzberg -- The Realm Of The Zealot : Tax Policy / Ryan M. Yonk, Terri Bechdel, And Kayla Dawn Harris -- Green Energy Democracy : A Venue For Zealots And Professionals / Randy Simmons, Kristen Dawson, And Kayla Dawn Harris -- Conclusion And Policy Potential / Shauna Reilly And Ryan M. Yonk. Edited By Shauna Reilly And Ryan M. Yonk. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Experts assess the connection between characteristics of petitioners, how they are able to influence their communities beyond the ballot box and how large an influence they are on specific areas of policy.