Let the People Speak: Rethinking the Initiative Process

Dissent ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-9
Author(s):  
Lillian B. Rubin
Keyword(s):  
The People ◽  
Initiative Process

Power to the People? The Initiative Process and Fiscal Discipline in City Governments

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 1280-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict S. Jimenez
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Fiscal Discipline ◽  
City Governments ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
The People ◽  
Initiative Process ◽  
Using Data

Does giving citizens the power to decide budget policies improve fiscal discipline in the local public sector? This study examines the effects of local initiatives on city budgetary solvency or the ability of city governments to generate revenues to meet their service and financial obligations in a fiscal year. Budgetary imbalance in the public sector has been blamed on self-interested bureaucrats and elected officials who desire budgets that are higher than that preferred by the median voter. The initiative gives citizens the power to directly decide budget issues. Research shows that voters are more fiscally conservative than government officials, which suggests that fiscal discipline will improve if citizens exercise greater control over budgeting. Using data from audited financial reports for midsized and large cities from 2006 to 2012, the empirical analysis indicates that initiative cities have weaker budgetary solvency compared with noninitiative cities.

Big Copyright Versus the People

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Skladany
Keyword(s):  
The People

Politics with the People

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Neblo ◽  
Kevin M. Esterling ◽  
David M. J. Lazer
Keyword(s):  
The People
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