Tax Crusaders and the Politics of Direct Democracy
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A01=Daniel A. Smith
American Populist Movements
Apartment Owners
Author_Daniel A. Smith
ballot
ballot initiative analysis
Ballot Measures
bruce
Category=JPA
Category=JPHV
Category=KFFD
Centennial State
citizen
Citizen Initiative
Colorado
democratic participation decline
Direct Democracy
douglas
eq_bestseller
eq_business-finance-law
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
Faux Populist
grassroots mobilization
High Tech Council
initiative
Initiative Campaigns
Initiative Process
initiatives
limitation
measure
political entrepreneurship
Populist Endeavors
Populist Entrepreneur
process
Property Tax Cuts
Property Tax Limitation
Property Tax Limitation Measure
Property Taxes
public opinion manipulation
revolt
Rising Property Taxes
Signature Collection Campaign
special interest influence
State's High Dependence
Tax Limitation
Tax Limitation Initiative
Tax Limitation Measure
Tax Limitation Movement
Tax Revolts
top-down tax policy campaigns
Product details
- ISBN 9780415919913
- Weight: 650g
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 30 Jul 1998
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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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.
Daniel A. Smith is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Denver. This is his first book.
