Initiative Politics in America Book Review by blago
Initiative Politics in America
An examination of initiative policies in America and review of David Broder's book, "Democracy Derailed: Initiative Campaigns and the Power of Money."
# 113374
| 1,085 words
| 1 source
| MLA
| 2004
| 
Published
on Mar 30, 2009
in
Political Science
(Lobbyists and Pressure Groups)
, Law
(Constitution)
, English
(Analysis)
$19.95
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Description:
This paper discusses the initiative process which was conceived originally to involve the public intimately in policymaking. The paper focuses on the book "Democracy Derailed: Initiative Campaigns and the Power of Money," in which David S. Broder describes the routine and historically ironic subversion of the American Constitution by special interests seeking to further their own goals without appealing to the elected governing bodies of states offering the initiative.
From the Paper:
"It is clear that the initiative process is flawed. It is too dominated by money, too dependent on catch-phrases and image-based media campaigns to get its messages across, and too open to outside influences. Very little, however, is to be done about these problems. Shortening the length of time allotted to qualify initiatives would just make it more advantageous to have money to put into gathering signatures more quickly. The same is true for efforts to restrict the number of ballot measures in an election cycle. Although it would enable voters to get a better feel for the provisions of ballot initiatives, it favors money again, since once again signatures would need to be collected very quickly to succeed on this first-come, first-served basis. The initiative process seems to be hopelessly mired in domination by big money interests, and apparently only time will tell if its problems can be solved, or if it is a hopelessly flawed policy-making tool."Sample of Sources Used:
- Broder, David S. Democracy Derailed: Initiative Campaigns and the Power of Money. San Diego: Harcourt, 2000.
Cite this Book Review:
APA Format
Initiative Politics in America (2009, March 30)
Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/book-review/initiative-politics-in-america-113374/
MLA Format
"Initiative Politics in America" 30 March 2009.
Web. 27 May. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/book-review/initiative-politics-in-america-113374/>