Educated by Initiative: The Effects of Direct Democracy on Citizens and Political Organizations in the American States - Softcover

Smith, Daniel A.; Tolbert, Caroline

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0472068709 ISBN 13: 9780472068708

Publisher: University of Michigan Press, 2004

Synopsis

"This body of research not only passes academic muster but is the best guidepost in existence for activists who are trying to use the ballot initiative process for larger policy and political objectives."
--Kristina Wilfore, Executive Director, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center and Foundation

Educated by Initiative moves beyond previous evaluations of public policy to emphasize the educational importance of the initiative process itself. Since a majority of ballots ultimately fail or get overturned by the courts, Smith and Tolbert suggest that the educational consequences of initiative voting may be more important than the outcomes of the ballots themselves. The result is a fascinating and thoroughly-researched book about how direct democracy teaches citizens about politics, voting, civic engagement and the influence of special interests and political parties. Designed to be accessible to anyone interested in the future of American democracy, the book includes boxes (titled "What Matters") that succinctly summarize the authors' data into easily readable analyses.

Daniel A. Smith is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida.

Caroline J. Tolbert is Associate Professor of Political Science at Kent State University.

About this title

About the Author

Daniel A. Smith is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida.

Caroline J. Tolbert is Associate Professor of Political Science at Kent State University.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Michigan Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0472068709
• ISBN 13: 9780472068708
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248