While the U.S. Constitution is difficult to amend, most states constitutions are much easier to amend. This essay explores the implications of easily amended constitutions on the nature and quality of government. Theoretically, malleable constitutions can be more innovative and responsive to...

Since the early 1990s, California has experienced a recurring budget crisis. This article examines the combined budgets of state and local governments and the institutions for creating these budgets to ascertain the source of the problem. The facts are that California collects more taxes and...

To counter the power of pro-development interests, growth opponents in American communities have increasingly turned to the institutions of direct democracy. This study analyses the effects of one type of direct democracy-voter requirements for new development-on municipal growth. Analysing data...