Suchergebnisse

The link between public opinion & state policy is examined via US national opinion survey data, 1976-1982. Causal analysis reveals that electoral competition had a substantial impact on lower-class mobilization, & that competition & mobilization were positively linked to elite liberalism. A reciprocal relationship between preferences of the mass public & political elites had substantial impact on the state policy process. This relationship was particularly strong among mass & elite members of the same political party. Implications for the democratic process are discussed. 3 Tables, 1 Figure, 34 References. Adapted from the source document.

Tests 'growth machine' propositions about the attitudes toward growth of different local elite groups. Different elite groups have different conceptions of growth and of the role of the public and private sector in controlling it. (Abstract amended)

RESPONDING TO WIDESPREAD CONCERNS ABOUT HOW SCHOLARS TYPICALLY MEASURE LEGISLATORS' IDEOLOGIES, THE AUTHORS PROPOSE, IMPLEMENT, AND TEST THE EFFICACY OF A NOVEL MEASUREMENT APPROACH. THEY EMPLOY FORMAL CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE NEWS COVERAGE OF U.S. SENATORS' INITIAL CAMPAIGNS FOR OFFICE TO CREATE AN IDEOLOGY SCALE FOR MEMBERS OF THE 101ST CONGRESS. THEY ALSO OFFER SYSTEMATIC TESTS OF RELIABILITY AND OF CONVERGENT AND DISCRIMINANT CONSTRUCT VALIDITY FOR THIS SCALE AND FOR CONVENTIONAL, INDIRECT MEASURES OF SENATOR IDEOLOGY USING INTEREST GROUP RATINGS AND "RESIDUALIZED ANALYSES" MEASURES. THIS NEWSPAPER CONTENT ANALYSIS PROCEDURE PRODUCES IDEOLOGY SCORES THAT DEMONSTRATE HIGH RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY AND THAT ARE SUPERIOR FOR THEORY-TESTING PURPOSES TO COMMONLY USED SURROGATE OR INDIRECT MEASURES OF LEGISLATOR IDEOLOGY.