SAGE Journal Articles and Readings

Click on the following links – please note these will open in a new window

SAGE Journal Articles

SJ-userguide.pdf

Article 1: Baldassare, M. (March 2005). The Role of Public Opinion on the California Governor's Recall in 2003: Populism, Partisanship, and Direct Democracy.  American Politics Research 33(2). 163-186.

This article examines the role of public opinion during the California governor Gray Davis’ recall in 2003 compared to partisanship and ideology. In using the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) statewide surveys, the authors find that public support for the recall was consistent over time and related to negative political attitudes.

Questions to Consider:
  1. What was the significance of the political climate on voice choices in the recall?
  2. What are the origins of direct democracy?
  3. Identify the three tools of direct democracy. Which one is the most popular in your state?
  4. What led to the negative political climate during the recall?

Learning objective: Explain the role of public opinion in a democracy; Identify key factors that influence our individual and collective political opinions; Describe different techniques used to gauge public opinion; Give examples of ways in which public opinion enhances or diminishes the relationship between citizens and government

***

Article 2: Lewis, D.C., Wood, F. S., and Jacobsmeier, M. L. (September 2014). Public Opinion and Judicial Behavior in Direct Democracy Systems: Gay Rights in the American States.  State Politics and Police Quarterly.1-22.

This article examines whether direct democracy institutions have a similar effect of enhancing the impact of public opinion on judicial behavior and

reducing the likelihood of judges voting in favor of minority rights. The author’s study provides evidence that the institution of direct democracy does in fact increase the effect of public opinion on judicial decisions.

Questions to Consider:
  1. How can the direct democracy institutions influence elected officials?
  2. What is the primary criticism of direct democracy? Do you believe that it restricts minority rights?

Learning objective: Explain the role of public opinion in a democracy; Identify key factors that influence our individual and collective political opinions

***

Article 3: Rothschild, D. and Malhortra, N. (July-September 2014). Are public opinion polls self-fulfilling prophecies? Research and Politics 1(2). 1-10.

This article discusses the limited research on the bandwagon effects of the polls. In order to address the gap, the authors conduct an experiment using a diverse sample of people. The authors find that opinions expressed through polls affect individual-level attitudes.

Questions to Consider:
  1. Discuss the three different policies that were used in the poll.
  2. Do you believe that polls can be self-fulfilling prophecies?
  3. What are bandwagon effects and how do they affect polls?

Learning objective: Explain the role of public opinion in a democracy; Describe different techniques used to gauge public opinion; Identify key factors that influence our individual and collective political opinions

***

CQ Researcher

Learning objective: Give examples of ways in which public opinion enhances or diminishes the relationship between citizens and government