PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD GAMBLING AND CORRUPTION

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 374, S. 123-134

Abstract

Operation of large-scale gambling by crime syndicates requires both a popular desire to consume illegal services & at least tacit acceptance by local officials. In 'Wincanton,' a middle-sized industr city, city officials were paid to overlook gambling, & also engaged in other corrupt activities. A survey of city residents indicated general tolerance or approval of gambling, but hostility toward all forms of official corruption. When corruption was exposed by federal investigators, Wincanton voters elected reform candidates for local offices. Analysis of voting patterns indicates that voting in reform elections parallels normal party voting patterns; a constant %o of voters in each precinct in the city will deviate from their normal party allegiance following exposures of corruption. HA.