American Political Development (Orren and Skowronek) –

A Durable Shift in Governing Authority




Governing Authority –

Exercise of control over persons or things that are enforceable by the state


What is Authority?

1. Designated in advance

2. Works through Institutions

3. Enforceable by law

4. Works through perceptions



Shift –

Authority moves or is transferred from one position to another


Examples:


Department of Homeland Security

Pendleton Act of 1883



Durability –

Shift in authority must be lasting over time


Examples:

New Deal

Post World War II National Security

Non-Durable Shifts:

Prohibition


Is this Definition Limiting?


Patterns



Intercurrence











Path Dependency and Policy Change

Juncture 1
Policy A
Policy B
Random Event or
Unanticipated Consequence
Policy B
Policy A
Transaction Costs














Political Culture