Review

Political Opportunity Structure
o The relative “openness” of the government
§ Freedom of speech
§ Freedom of assembly
§ Access to potential resources
§ Organization



Political Opportunity Structure is interchangeable with Socioeconomic Change and Organizational Strength
· Industrialization/Urbanization promotes insurgency indirectly through changing power relationships within society
· UNDERMINES the calculations and assumptions on which the political establishment is structured
· Leads to improved bargaining position for aggrieved population

Indigenous Organizational Strength
· More integrated social networks are in a community, more readily mobilization can occur
· More Solidary incentives
· Mass base insures the presence of leaders

Cognitive Liberation
· Increase the costs for elites to repress the movement
· Group members more likely to respond to insurgents (eg tight labor market, management more responsive)


Social Movements also decline
· Pressure on leaders to maintain organizational strength
· Can leadership view organizational strength as more important than movement goals?
· As goals are reached, pressure on the movement to adjust to the political system.

Jefferson’s legislative achievements

Remade the Defense establishment, while raising the tariff

Passage of 12th Amendment in 1804

Did not submit Secretary of State Monroe’s treaty with the British to the Senate.

Instead, took the policy of a trade embargo.




Hofstadter – “Populism was the first modern political movement of practical importance in the United States to insist that the federal government has some responsibility for the common weal . . . it was the first such movement to attack seriously the problems created by industrialism.”

Populism as agrarian revolt against money power (Outgrowth of Granger movement)

Populism as paranoia and conspiracy

Populist’s Platform:

Free coinage of silver
Income Tax
Expanded currency and credit
Direct election of Senators
Initiative and Referendum


MUGWUMPS AND MUCKRACKERS


CORPORATIONS

Reduce power over legislative process – legislatures full of corruption

Social reforms of negative impact of business – Labor legislation, Health and safety legislation

Railroads and utilities to protect new services

Corporations do some for society, progressives want them to work in public interest




Pendleton Act 1891 – Commission that will recommend rules for civil service exams

1882 Republicans lose House – party competition tightened

Bicameralism important –

By 1900 close to half civil service is merit based

Once a reform is in place it sets out next reform




POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES



If you want good outcomes, you need a better political process

AUSTRALIAN BALLOT

Official, consolidated, secret

Replaced party prepared ballots

LITERACY REQUIREMENTS etc

DIRECT PRIMARY

DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS

CANVASS

28 states

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

NATIONAL PUBLICITY ACTS 1910, 1911

Publicized campaign donations and expenditures


McDonagh (1999) provides a more developed depiction of the tensions between regulatory reform and participatory reform during the progressive era. The author presents policy along two dimensions.

The first dimension is the institutional axis, defined as the use of government towards centralization and increased administration in society.
· workingman’s compensation,
· minimum wage, working day laws,
· women’s hours laws,
· mothers pensions

The second dimension is the participatory axis that increases access to civic participation to previously marginalized groups such as women, racial minorities and immigrants.

o

Prohibition




Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

· Women’s sufferage
· Equal pay
· Day care
· Mine safety

Anti-Saloon League (ASL)

· Single issue group
· Grew out of Prohibitionist Party
· Portrayed drinking as source of all social ills (New Puritanism)
· Argued prohibition would lead to lower taxes
· ASL fit the Progressive Era – Interest Group and for Reform oriented




Prohibition Amendment (18th) enforced by Volstead Act

· Set legal limit of alcohol at 0.5%
· "no person shall manufacture, sell, barter, transport, import, export, deliver, or furnish any intoxicating liquor except as authorized by this act".
· Vetoed by Wilson – overriden by Congress
· Allowed for liquor to be produced in the home