POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSIVENESS: THE BEHAVIOR OF CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURTS

In: American political science review, Band 73, Heft 4, S. 1090-1099

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE DEFINES POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AS THE COMMUNICATION OF CITIZEN PREFERENCES TO PUBLIC OFFICEHOLDERS. THE AUTHORS ANALYZE DATA TO SHOW THAT AGGREGATE SENTENCING DECISIONS OF CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURTS CHANGED TO REFLECT MORE CLOSELY PREVAILING PUBLIC OPINION AFTER A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE EXPRESSED PREFERENCES ON A MARIJUANA ISSUE.