What is it about?
In essence, this article is about how policy spreads across political boundaries. I find evidence that Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA) passed in states in particular regions including the south and great plains. Early adopter states did so in response to a Supreme Court ruling saying the federal RFRA could not apply to the states. From there other states adopted it on a regional basis.
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Why is it important?
There are two contributions that make this piece important. One is theoretical and the other is methodological. First, I show a verticle diffusion effect. This means that one level of government (the federal government in this case) can be the impetus for another (state governments) to adopt a policy. Later adopters of RFRA were influenced by early adopters. In essence, the Supreme Court opened a window. Second, using the Great Plains as a case study, this article shows the methodological limitations usually used in diffusion research. Therefore, other methods, namely qualitative research, is needed to tell the full story.
Perspectives
I hope this article helps people think about patterns that exist in politics and policy adoption. We are sometimes caught off guard by politics and policy however once patterns are established, things become clearer. I also want readers to realize that social institutions are interconnected.
Bronson Herrera
Northwest Missouri State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Responding to the Court: Diffusion of Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, Great Plains Research, January 2021, Project Muse,
DOI: 10.1353/gpr.2021.0024.
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