European University Institute Library

Morality at the ballot, direct democracy and political engagement in the United States, Daniel Biggers

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 222-240) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Morality at the ballot

bibliography

883305075

Daniel Biggers

direct democracy and political engagement in the United States

Across the United States, there is wide variation in opportunities for citizens to craft legislation through the process of direct democracy. Previous studies suggest that an active role in policy making can spark political interest and engagement, encouraging individuals, who would otherwise abstain from voting, to turn out. Daniel R. Biggers challenges this contention, testing a new theoretical framework that details the exact circumstances under which any proposition might increase participation. Morality at the Ballot reveals that the ability of direct democracy to increase turnout is significantly more limited than currently thought, and that the propositions that do affect participation are restricted to a small subset of ballot issues that include morality policy. Biggers uses these morality propositions to demonstrate the conditions necessary for direct democracy to influence turnout, affect who votes, and shape electoral and policy outcomes. The investigation provides significant insights into the consequences of deciding policy via the ballot and expanding the role for citizens in the political process.--, Provided by publisher

1. Introduction -- 2. A theoretical framework -- 3. The case for moral issue propositions -- 4. Enticing peripheral voters -- 5. Statewide ballot measures and turnout -- 6. Local-level ballot measures and turnout -- 7. A partisan advantage? -- 8. Policy outcomes and lessons from morality at the ballot