A consideration of political culture and gambling policy: has economics trumped moralistic politics?

• Published in: Journal of public budgeting, accounting & financial management Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 94 - 119
• Main Authors: Thompson, William N., Lutrin, Carl, Wacker, R. Fred, Vercher, Elizabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boca Raton Emerald Publishing Limited 01-04-2005; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Casinos; Citizen participation; Connecticut; Culture; Economic aspects; Effects; Gambling; Gambling industry; Legalized gambling; Michigan; Moral and religious aspects; Morality; New York (state); Political behavior; Political power; Politics; Public policy; Self interest; Society; States; Studies; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 1096-3367; 1945-1814
• DOI: 10.1108/JPBAFM-17-01-2005-B005

Elazar’s typology of political cultures is examined. From his categorization of jurisdictions with aspects of 'moralistic' political cultures, five are selected: Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, and France. Their recent political history is examined and it is demonstrated that these 'moralistic' type polities have abandoned policies which formerly condemned or at least contained legalized gambling. Instead each has responded to commercial pressures for expanded gambling. The reasons why ‘moralistic’ values in making decisions in this arena have been cast aside are examined. The reasons include an international cross-polity homogenization of political cultures, a blurring of the meaning of ‘moralistic’ in today’s politics, and above all, severe economic crises that take precedence over other values.