Baumgartner & Jones (1993) Agenda Setting and Instability in American Politics

Major findings: (238)
The American political system spawns numerous policy subsystems which are characterized by inclusion of the interested and exclusion of the apathetic. APATHY IS THE KEY VARIABLE IN POLITICS.

Policy subsystems are oftn institutionalized as structure induced equalibria in which a prevailing understanding dominates. INSTITUTIONS ARE THE LEGACIES OF AGENDA ACESS. THEY REMAIN IN PLACE FOR DECADES, STRUCTURING FURTHER PARTICIPATION, CREATING APPARENT EQUILIBRIA THAT CAN BE CHANGED ONLY BY CHANGING INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES.

Those excluded by policy subsystems can be mobilized by policy euntrprenuers. MOBILIZATION OF THE APATHETIC DEETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT A SUBSYSTEM WILL REMAIN INTACT.

Mobilization typically occurs through a redef on the prevailing policy image. "As policy advocates seek to mobilize new groups in favor of their view of a given policy, they systematically seek to alter the ways in which the issue is discussed.

There are two types of mobilization: enthusiasm and criticism (subsystem destruction occurs with this kind of mob)

Multiple venues in the American political system constitute many opportunityes for policy entrepreneurs to appeal.

The many venues works against conservativism.

New ideas may spread across linked venues, thus setting in motion a positive feedback process.

Venue linkage may change over time.

Presidential involvement can be decisive.

Problems and solutions are linked, but considered seperate.

Smith (1993) Replace Tocquevillian view with a Multi-Traditions View of America