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Morality Policy Reinvention: State Death Penalties

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  • Christopher Z. Mooney

    (University of Illinois at Springfield)

  • Mei-Hsien Lee

    (National Chi Nan University, Taiwan)

Abstract

How does morality policy change as it diffuses? Social learning theory holds that later adopters learn from earlier adoptions to modify, or reinvent, a policy to fit their needs better. But because of its technical simplicity, saliency, and conflicts of basic values, morality policy may not be amenable to policy learning. We develop and test three reinvention hypotheses reflecting distinct roles for learning. Our analysis of U.S. state death penalty policy supports each hypothesis but under different political conditions. We conclude that, when possible, policymakers make morality policy in their usual way, by incremental steps and learning from previous adoptions. But when basic moral conflicts surface, considerations other than policy learning drive reinvention.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Z. Mooney & Mei-Hsien Lee, 1999. "Morality Policy Reinvention: State Death Penalties," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 566(1), pages 80-92, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:566:y:1999:i:1:p:80-92
    DOI: 10.1177/000271629956600107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carmines, Edward G. & Stimson, James A., 1980. "The Two Faces of Issue Voting," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(1), pages 78-91, March.
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