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Targeted for Diffusion? How the Use and Acceptance of Stereotypes Shape the Diffusion of Criminal Justice Policy Innovations in the American States

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  • BOUSHEY, GRAEME

Abstract

This article explores the diffusion of criminal justice policy in the American states. Drawing on policy design theory, I code newspaper coverage of 44 criminal justice policies adopted across state governments from 1960–2008, identifying the image and power of target populations—the group singled out for special treatment under law. I test whether electoral pressure leads governments to disproportionally emulate innovations that reinforce popular stereotypes regarding who is entitled to policy benefits or deserving of policy burdens. I find strong support for this theory: State governments are more likely to adopt innovations that extend benefits to strong, popular, and powerful target populations or that impose burdens on weak and politically marginalized groups. This bias can be explained by pressures for responsive policy making, as my findings indicate that it is the national salience of the crime problem—but not the competitiveness or timing of state elections—that influences state adoption of popular “law and order” policy innovations.

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  • Boushey, Graeme, 2016. "Targeted for Diffusion? How the Use and Acceptance of Stereotypes Shape the Diffusion of Criminal Justice Policy Innovations in the American States," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 110(1), pages 198-214, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:110:y:2016:i:01:p:198-214_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Steven J. Balla & Zhoudan Xie, 2023. "The durability of governance reform: A two‐wave audit of notice and comment policymaking in China," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(2), pages 549-569, April.
    2. Neal D Woods, 2021. "An Environmental Race to the Bottom? “No More Stringent” Laws in the American States," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 51(2), pages 238-261.
    3. James Hollway & Jean-Frédéric Morin & Joost Pauwelyn, 2020. "Structural conditions for novelty: the introduction of new environmental clauses to the trade regime complex," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 61-83, March.
    4. Fabrizio Gilardi & Charles R. Shipan & Bruno Wüest, 2021. "Policy Diffusion: The Issue‐Definition Stage," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 65(1), pages 21-35, January.
    5. Srinivas C. Parinandi, 2020. "Policy Inventing and Borrowing among State Legislatures," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(4), pages 852-868, October.
    6. Sun, Hao & Su, Jun & Ma, Liang, 2021. "The diffusion of the utility tunnel policy: Evidence from Chinese cities," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    7. Scott J. LaCombe & Courtney Juelich, 2019. "Salient Ballot Measures and the Millennial Vote," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(2), pages 198-212.

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