Policy Responsiveness in Local Government: Adoption of Smoke-free Policies in U.S. Counties
In: State and local government review, Band 48, Heft 1, S. 6-20
Whether U.S. county governments are responsive to their policy environments is a critical question in light of evidence that counties have expanded their policy portfolios and governmental professionalism to meet increased citizen demands. This study examines whether economic interests and political preferences influence decisions by counties to impose smoking bans in nonhospitality workplaces, restaurants, and bars. Results show that counties are responsive to their environments, but that the nature of responsiveness varies by the policy in question and the form of government. These results therefore shed light on the ability of counties to function as democratic institutions.