Citizen Lawmakers
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Citizen Lawmakers
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Author : David Schmidt
language : en
Publisher: Temple University Press
Release Date : 1991-06-29
Citizen Lawmakers written by David Schmidt and has been published by Temple University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 1991-06-29 with Political Science categories.
"[B]oth an engrossing history and a guide showing how citizens can make their own laws directly, at the ballot box, when elected officials are unresponsive." --Ralph Nader After decades of disuse, a startling upsurge in the use of the Initiative and Referendum--law-making by citizen petition and popular vote--occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. In Citizen Lawmakers, David Schmidt tells the stories of the individual activists, such as Howard Jarvis and Ed Koupal, and the political groups that made this happen. While other studies have analyzed the statistics of the ballot initiative revolution, this book provides the personal, political, and historical contexts vital to understanding the causes and the tremendous impact of the trend toward ballot-box lawmaking over the last two decades. Schmidt demonstrates how "ordinary individuals, even in this age of monstrous bureaucracies and larger-than-life celebrities, can, and do, change this nation's laws to make government more accountable." Although still neglected in contemporary political science texts, the initiative process has become the most dynamic, innovative arena of American politics. Between 1968 and 1982, the number of voter-initiated propositions on state ballots increased from 10 to 60, with issues moving from purely local to national movements, such as the Tax Revolt (heralded by California's Proposition 13 in 1978), "Motor Voter" initiatives started in Arizona and Colorado, Bottle Bills and non-smoking ordinances, and the Nuclear Weapons Freeze votes of 1982. As the editor of a nationwide newsletter on the subject and a participant in some of the initiative and referendum campaigns he describes, David Schmidt brings to the writing a wealth of first-hand detail. After tracing the historical origins of the Initiative and Referendum, the book focuses on case studies of the most widespread ballot issues and the most prominent initiative campaign promoters in the 1970s and 1980s. Discussing recent efforts to put national initiative lawmaking rights into the federal Constitution, Schmidt makes a case for the ballot initiative process as an essential complement and corrective to the American system of lawmaking by elected representatives. Citizen Lawmakers is also a handbook for activists. From his experiences in many states, Schmidt provides advice on gathering signatures, complying with state regulations, gaining media coverage, combating opponents' tactics, and raising money. This book concludes with appendixes that give a state-by-state capsule history of initiative use and voting results for each of the fifty states and include the results of the votes on propositions from the November 1988 election. "As one of the nation's leading authorities on the referendum and initiative processes, David Schmidt has prepared a thoughtful, positive overview of one of the most significant electoral phenomena of our time." --Edmund G. Brown, Jr., former Governor of California "The definitive work on citizens and ballot initiatives.... This study offers citizen activists a manual on how to run a citizen campaign during the ballot initiative revolution and presents, in the appendixes, a comprehensive data on initiative voting in each of the states. The contribution to citizen activism and participatory democracy is the most significant characteristic of Schmidt's volume. The book is well written, well researched, and important. Strongly recommended for citizens interested in being counted once again in the American political system." --Choice "An important work that addresses a wide audience.... Unlike much of the work written on the subject, this book provides the reader with both the historical perspective and empirical data.... This work should be read by those interested in the political process." --Perspectives on Political Science "The book may convince some readers that ordinary people make better policy than politicians do." --California Lawyer "Important reading for those who aspire to influence public policy.... [Schmidt] is at his absolute best and the book is at its most invaluable when it focuses on how to effectively us I&R." --Chicago Enterprise
Representing America
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Author : Rebekah Herrick
language : en
Publisher: Lexington Books
Release Date : 2007
Representing America written by Rebekah Herrick and has been published by Lexington Books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2007 with Biography & Autobiography categories.
During the 1990s, many members of the House of Representatives could be characterized as citizen legislators - they either voluntarily limited their term in office or they had no prior political experience. Representing America compares the representational styles of these legislators with the professional legislators, who make a career out of being a legislator, elected at the time.
Citizen Lawmakers
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Author : David D. Schmidt
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 1989
Citizen Lawmakers written by David D. Schmidt and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 1989 with Referendum categories.
A People S Parliament A Citizen Legislature
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Author : Keith Sutherland
language : en
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited
Release Date : 2015-10-13
A People S Parliament A Citizen Legislature written by Keith Sutherland and has been published by Andrews UK Limited this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2015-10-13 with Political Science categories.
Two essays, printed back to back in a single volume, offer complementary solutions to the democratic deficit in Britain and the USA. In his book The Party's Over: Blueprint for a Very English Revolution (2004), Keith Sutherland questioned the role of the party in the post-ideological age and concluded that it would be better for government ministers to be appointed by headhunters and held to account by a people's parliament selected by lot. This completely revised and updated edition includes a study of the recent literature on deliberative polling. The American founders proposed that their legislature should be 'an exact portrait, in miniature, of the people at large'. Whether or not this was true at the time, the exponential growth of the population, skyrocketing campaign funding, the power of pressure groups, the grease of the pork-barrel and the dominance of charisma and demagoguery means that the US Constitution could now better be described as a kleptocracy. This pioneering essay proposes selecting Congressional members by random lot (leaving the Senate and Presidency unchanged) to 'restore a direct, powerful voice in Washington to the whole of America'. Originally published in 1985, this new edition includes an introduction by political scientist Peter Stone.
A Citizen Legislature
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Author : Ernest Callenbach
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 1985
A Citizen Legislature written by Ernest Callenbach and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 1985 with Political Science categories.
Citizen S Handbook To Influencing Elected Officials
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Author : Bradford Fitch
language : en
Publisher: The Capitol Net Inc
Release Date : 2010
Citizen S Handbook To Influencing Elected Officials written by Bradford Fitch and has been published by The Capitol Net Inc this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2010 with Lobbying categories.
One part research studies, one part interviews and focus groups, and one part experience, this text provides practical guidance on preparing for and meeting with elected officials and staff, writing effective letters and e-mails to elected officials, and strategies for influencing legislators face to face.
Toward An Ethic Of Citizenship
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Author : William K. Dustin
language : en
Publisher: iUniverse
Release Date : 2000-01-11
Toward An Ethic Of Citizenship written by William K. Dustin and has been published by iUniverse this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2000-01-11 with Political Science categories.
The idea for this book arose out of a little known political scandal, known as "phonegate", that occurred in Minnesota in the early 1990's in which a number of legislators were found to have been abusing their phone privileges. The hubris of the legislature in response to the discovery of this abuse not only made me rather angry, but, since I had been called for jury duty the year before, gave me the idea that service in the legislature ought to be a duty of citizenship like jury duty. Although the idea of the citizen legislature goes back to Aristotle, serious consideration of it raises the question of what is meant by citizenship and representation. This book addresses that question. It is an attempt to develop a model of citizenship in which representation is simultaneously a fundamental right and the highest obligation. After developing these ideas at a rather high level of abstraction, the book concludes with a proposed constitutional amendment for the State of Minnesota to illustrate how the model will work in practice.
First Person Political
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Author : Grant Reeher
language : en
Publisher: NYU Press
Release Date : 2006-01-30
First Person Political written by Grant Reeher and has been published by NYU Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2006-01-30 with Political Science categories.
In First Person Political, Grant Reeher combats the public's alienation from and distrust of politicians by putting a personal face on everyday political life. Through moving personal interviews, Reeher allows legislators to tell their own stories about how and why they came to politics, the experience of serving in their state legislature, their decisions to stay or leave, and the many trials they face in the name of public service. Reeher contends that these politicians do have the public good in mind and often suffer great personal losses for their chance to represent the people and fight for what they think is right. His research also shows that those who choose to run for office often come from a background of deep community involvement. Reeher argues against public cynicism about our elected officials, and his profiles stir not only our praise and respect for these legislators, but also a greater belief in the democratic process itself. The excerpts from his interviews provide a rarely afforded intimate look at these politicians. What emerges from these stories is a humane and believable portrait of public servants acting on behalf of the public good, a portrait that should provide some comfort, perhaps even inspiration, for citizens concerned about the state of American democracy.
Empowering Public Wisdom
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Author : Tom Atlee
language : en
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Release Date : 2012-08-07
Empowering Public Wisdom written by Tom Atlee and has been published by North Atlantic Books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2012-08-07 with Political Science categories.
Lifelong activist Tom Atlee proposes innovative ways to distill the wisdom of ordinary people in order to better guide public policy. In Empowering Public Wisdom, Atlee recognizes currently popular forms of progressive democracy advocates, such as citizen participation and voter education, but suggests that what is really needed is a re-thinking of the very concept of democracy; Atlee advocates the use of "public wisdom," a collective intelligence that can be drawn upon to guide public policy and action. Reaching beyond partisan politics, Atlee explores how a diversity of views can be engaged around public issues in ways that generate a coherent, shared "voice of the people" that takes most or all of the population's perspectives and needs into account. Atlee's core approach is through "citizen deliberative councils," in which a small group of people randomly selected creates a "mini-public" or a microcosm of the larger population. Citizen councils engage in the study of a public issue and make recommendations to public officials and the community, but disband afterward; when a new issue arises, a new council is formed. Ultimately, Atlee aims even higher, suggesting a possible fourth branch of government to better balance our current democratic system. Combining a radical vision with practical solutions, Empowering Public Wisdom provides a unique and refreshing voice in the political arena. Empowering Public Wisdom is part of the EVOLVER EDITIONS Manifesto Series.
The Battle Over Citizen Lawmaking
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Author : M. Dane Waters
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 2001
The Battle Over Citizen Lawmaking written by M. Dane Waters and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2001 with Law categories.
There is little doubt that in recent years the initiative process has become one of the most important mechanisms for altering and influencing public policy at every level of government. In the last two years alone, utilizing the initiative process, citizens were heard on affirmative action, educational reform, term limits, tax reform, campaign finance reform, animal protection, drug policy reform, and the environment. However, the initiative process has fallen prey to its own success. Lawmakers who have been most affected by this citizen's tool have struck back by imposing new regulations on the process -- regulations that serve no purpose but to deprive the citizens of the only avenue available to them to reign in unresponsive government. These regulations have generated many questions that have so far remained unanswered or have been discussed only in specialist journals. There are legal questions about signature gathering and limits on campaign spending, political questions about implementing the relevant statutes, and philosophical questions about equality and freedom of expression. The Battle Over Citizen Lawmaking discusses the evolution of the initiative and referendum process, the need for the process, how it has been utilized, the impetus for new regulations, the major regulations that have been imposed, the role the courts have played in regulating the initiative and referendum process, what role money plays, and how the process has been regulated in other countries. This book comprehensively addresses these issues from the viewpoint of leading scholars, opinion leaders, journalists, elected officials, activists, and attorneys. "Dane Waters has done a commendable job in bringing a focus to an edited book project that provides a new perspective on the growing literature on direct democracy. The emphasis on a legal perspective may even help bring the topic to greater attention in classes on law and politics." -- The Journal of Politics, February 2002