The Coming Age of Direct Democracy: California's Recall and Beyond

About the Book

This book examines the new, hybrid democracy that has been taking shape in California since the historic recall of Gov. Gray Davis and election of former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003. During the recall and its aftermath, California has reached unprecedented levels of use of direct democracy, in which public policy decisions are made by voters at the ballot box, rather than by elected representatives in the legislature. Driven by Californians' long-standing populism and distrust of government, a new form of governance is emerging: one that seeks to avoid the pitfalls of party politics and influence by special interest groups that plague representative democracy, by increasing the role of voters at the ballot box. This book analyzes the hybrid democracy that has developed under Gov. Schwarzenegger, and how his leadership has encouraged its growth. Using the Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Surveys, which include interviews with more than 150,000 Californians, the authors detail the transformation in the state's political climate and the public attitudes behind this change. The authors conclude that this transformation will likely take place in other states, perhaps even nationwide, and offer recommendations for ways to improve policymaking in a hybrid democracy.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction: A New Era in Direct Democracy
Chapter 2 Political Change Takes Root: The 2002 Elections
Chapter 3 The Voters Revolt: The Governor's Recall and 2003 Special Election
Chapter 4 The Year of Recovery: Bipartisan Cooperation and Populism in 2004
Chapter 5 The Year of Reform: Partisan Conflict and the 2005 Special Election
Chapter 6 The Year of Rebuilding: Reconstruction and Reconciliation in 2006
Chapter 7 Epilogue: Towards a Hybrid Democracy

About the Author :

Mark Baldassare is president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California, where he holds the Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Public Policy. He is the author of nine previous books, including: A California State of Mind: The Conflicted Voter in a Changing World (2002); California in the New Millennium: The Changing Social and Political Landscape (2000); and When Government Fails: The Orange Country Bankruptcy (California, 1998).

Cheryl Katz is an independent public opinion researcher and California journalist. She has directed public opinion polling for California newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, the Sacramento Bee and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is the author of numerous newspaper articles and scholarly publications on public opinion in California.

Review :
No state practices more direct democracy than does California, and nobody analyzes California political forces and public opinion better than Baldassare....Summing Up: Highly Recommended, All levels. The best, most comprehensive book to date on the public opinion behind California's recent tumultuous, zigzagging politics. It is also important for its reflections on 'hybrid democracy' in the Golden State. Baldassare and Katz's sharp account of the escalating use of the initiative, referendum, and recall is an important book on an absolutely crucial subject. It could fundamentally change the way most of us think about governance in twenty-first century America. Mark Baldassare and Cheryl Katz have written an interesting and successful book that captures the zeitgeist of California politics in the heat of populism....The authors pair a clear and concise writing style with fascinating survey results reported in a compelling and readable format, thus making the book an excellent pedagogical tool. Most importantly, the book illustrates a new form of governance, once that combines direct democracy and representative government to make public policy. The book stands as a useful contribution to the history of an interesting period in California politics. In five action-hero years, Californians —led by their celebrity governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger—have fast-forwarded themselves into hybrid democracy. Through a reenergized use of the initiative, referendum, and recall, voters now stand as co-equals with elected officials in the creation of public policy. All Americans should be interested in this timely book. After all, it's their future as well.