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• 1. Introduction: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don’t They?
• 2. Federalism: The Power Plan
• 3. Constitutions: Operating Instructions
• 4. Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting
• 5. Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows
• 6. Legislatures: The Art of Herding Cats
• 7. Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing As Absolute Power
• 8. Courts: Turning Law into Politics
• 9. Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs
• 10. Local Government: Function Follows Form
• 11. Metropolitics: The Hole Government Problem
• 12. Finances: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills
• 13. Education: Reading, Writing, and Regulation
• 14. Crime and Punishment
• 15. Health and Welfare Policy: State, Heal Thyself!
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Chapter 4: Political Attitudes and Participation

Study

Chapter Summary
Political participation in a state tends to reflect that state’s political culture. States that are moralistic tend to have more competitive political systems and higher income and education levels, and therefore they have higher participation rates than more traditionalistic states. The political culture of a state shapes political attitudes and patterns of political participation. Elections reinforce a state’s political culture, and the structure of the elections is determined by the existing dominant political culture. Thus, political culture is a significant determinant of the nature in which the public and a state’s legislature respond to policy activities.

There are a variety of institutional and procedural mechanisms available to states in regard to elections, and the use of such mechanisms affects political participation rates. Whereas some states allow for direct democracy, other states are more restrictive in their electoral rules. Legislative composition, gubernatorial power, and judicial composition all are affected by electoral institutions designed according to beliefs about the appropriate role of government. Ultimately, the use of electoral rules and structures shapes how states respond to their citizenry, and in turn how citizens respond to the actions of state government.

Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should understand…

• the relationship between a state’s political culture and its electoral laws
• the different types of ballots available to the states
• how states restrict minor parties’ access to the ballot
• why voter turnout varies throughout the states
• what officials are elected at the state level
• how initiatives, referendums, and recalls differ

Study Questions

1. How and why do states differ in their electoral laws?


2. What is the difference between the Indiana ballot and the Massachusetts ballot? What is the Australian ballot and why did it become popular?

3. Why do states tend to vary in regard to voter turnout? Use the comparative method to explain your answer.

4. What are some statewide political offices that are independent of the governor's office?

5. What are the different types of initiatives and referendums? What is a recall? How do these legislative mechanisms improve the responsiveness of state governments to citizens?

6. How do state legislators respond to public opinion? What is the relationship between public opinion and a state's public policy?