Daniel A. Smith

Tax Crusaders and the Politics of Direct Democracy (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

Daniel A. Smith exposes the truth about the American tax revolt. Contrary to conventional wisdom, recent ballot initiatives to limit state taxes have not been the result of a groundswell of public outrage; rather, they have been carefully orchestrated from the top down by professional tax crusaders: political entrepreneurs with their own mission. These faux populist initiatives--in contrast to genuine grassroots movements--involve minimal citizen participation. Instead, the tax crusaders hire public relations firms and use special interest groups to do the legwork and influence public opinion. Although they successfully tap into the pervasive anti-tax public mood by using populist rhetoric, these organizations serve corporate interests rather than groups of concerned neighbors. The author shows that direct democracy can, ironically, lead to diminished public involvement in government. Smith looks at the key players, following the trail of money and power in three important initiatives: Proposition 13 in California (1978), Proposition 2 1/2 in Massachusetts (1980), and Amendment 1 in Colorado (1992). He provides a thorough history of tax limitation movements in America, showing how direct democracy can be manipulated to subvert the democratic process and frustrate the public good.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis
• Seitenzahl: 240
• Erscheinungstermin: 15. November 2013
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781135162528
• Artikelnr.: 40042920

Autorenporträt

Daniel A. Smith is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Denver. This is his first book.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface: Direct Democracy and Conventional Wisdom 1 The Politics of Direct
Democracy 2 Taxes, The Initiative Process, and the Legacy of Howard Jarvis
3 Populism and Faus Populist Moments 4 Howard Jarvis, the United
Organizations of Taxpayers, and the Los Angeles Apartment Owners
Association -- Propping Up Proposition 13 5 Barbara Anderson, Citizens for
Limited Taxation, and the Massachusetts Hight Tech Council -- Going High
Tech 6 Douglass Bruce and Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of Rights -- A Solo
Crusade 7 The Process of Direct Democracy and the Appeal of Faux Populism
Notes; Resource Guide; Bibliography; Index