Casts doubt whether the 1978 tax referendum was really a voters' revolt against government. This doubt arises from the problems inherent in using referenda to reveal citizen preferences, the likelihood that there always will be some support for tax reduction, and the difficulty of defining a tax revolt. (Author/AM)

Studies the effect of background factors on beliefs about the consequences of the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). What types of people fear or welcome the ERA, what their reasons are, and where they obtain information about its possible consequences are examined. (AM)

The degree of responsiveness of state policies to the ideological leanings of public opinion is examined. States with more liberal electorates, as indicated by their support for George McGovern in the 1972 presidential election, have higher welfare benefits and expenditures, higher education expenditures, and more consumer protection laws.…

Data on opinions about the Iranian hostage crisis are used to test the ability of the president to influence public opinion. Findings indicate that the president can exert a powerful influence on foreign policy public opinion. (AM)

In a modified replication of the Miller-Stokes study, constituents from two Oklahoma congressional districts were interviewed to see how well they could identify the names of their members of congress and their stands on five issues. Results showed that participants were more politically informed than the Miller-Stokes study would have predicted.…

Reported are the attitudes of two communities toward universities and students in general, and a state university in particular; results revealed public attitudes is different in important respects from what is reflected from local and national headlines and legislative reactions. (JB)

An analysis of two foreign policy surveys taken in the 1970s showed that Americans viewed the role of the United States in world affairs as either cooperative or militant internationalism. There was no consensus. Political philosophy, education, and region of the country consistently affected the respondents' attitudes. (Author/RM)

Describes a social science research project undertaken to determine public opinion with regard to American foreign policy. An additional objective of the project was to compare demographic correlates of foreign policy attitudes. Results based on a Likert approach are discussed. (DB)

Using national samples, this article compares the attitudes of Blacks and Whites on the Supreme Court's school prayer rulings. In each of three separate investigations (1974, 1977, and 1982), Blacks were less supportive of the court's antischool prayer rulings. The differences persist even when the greater religiosity and lower socioeconomic…

Changes in aggregate levels of subjective powerlessness of the American public regarding politics and government have been surprisingly slight since 1952. The increasing level of education during the postwar era has been working against the spread of powerlessness. (Author/RM)

Analyzes the impact that interest groups have on a portion of the public policy process. Findings indicate that agencies with large and/or intense clientele support fare no better in the appropriations process than agencies without support. Bureaus with large and/or intense congressional support receive the same treatment as all other bureaus.…

Examines a statewide sample of Utah residents and their elected state representatives in terms of their respective support of land use planning over several months before, during, and after the defeat of a state land use act. Finds that models developed from classic democratic theory are generally ineffective in accounting for the relationships…

Discusses a 1947 study by Hyman and Sheatsley which investigated the political ignorance of the U.S. public. Examines the 1984 National Election Study, stating that a substantial segment of the U.S. public remains ignorant of political issues. Considers the dangers and implications of political ignorance (know-nothingism) in a democratic society.…

This study compares the dimensions of elite (political leaders) and mass (general public) opinions towards foreign policy. A factor analysis revealed the elite's five major concerns (internationalism, international organization, Americanism, defense spending, and interventionism) and an overall preference for structured approaches. The masses also…

Effectiveness of internal feedback systems on policy is analyzed in terms of a sample case: elimination of segregated dual schools in the South. Findings show that evaluation by policy implementers seems less successful than evaluation by external agents. (Author/AV)