R. Steven Daniels

Ideology, Party, and Voting in the U.S. Congress, 1959–1980

Current methods of roll-call analysis have practical as well as theoretical shortcomings. We propose here a method based on a spatial theory of voting that overcomes these problems. We apply metric multidimensional unfolding to interest-group ratings of members of Congress in order to obtain a Euclidean spatial configuration of congressmen. Each roll-call vote is then mapped into the configuration of members in a way consistent with spatial theory. Based on 190,000 ratings issued from 1959 to 1980, our empirical analysis demonstrates that a single liberal-conservative dimension accounts for more than 80% of the variance in the ratings. A second dimension, associated with party unity, accounts for 7% of the variance. Approximately 86% of all roll-call voting for the 22 years of our study is consistent with a simple one-dimensional spatial model. The votes that best fit the liberal-conservative dimension are drawn from the government management, social welfare, and foreign policy areas. The votes that best fit the two-dimensional configurations are drawn from the agricultural area.

Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly: Are Emergency Department Personnel Aware of Mandatory Reporting Laws?

Alabama emergency department personnel were surveyed in 1988 concerning elder abuse and Alabamas mandatory reporting and protective services law. Most ED personnel did not understand the requirements of the law. While emergency physicians, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses had seen cases of elder abuse in their careers, differences existed in their satisfaction with the disposition of cases reported to state authorities. Licensed practical nurses and physicians reported greater satisfaction with the response received; registered nurses were much less satisfied. However, all accepted responsibility for reporting elder abuse. ED registered nurses and emergency physicians were divided on the degree to which they could diagnose elder abuse, did not believe there were sufficient services to care for those who had been abused, and were unsure whether there were procedures for reporting cases of elder abuse. All ED personnel need to know that cases they report will result in protection of abuse victims.

Police discretion and elder mistreatment: A nested model of observation, reporting, and satisfaction

This study examined police reporting behavior in elder mistreatment (abuse, neglect, and exploitation) cases. Relying on a survey of police officers in Alabama, this research investigates a nested model of mandatory reporting using linear regression techniques. Only about half of all elder mistreatment cases are reported to the proper authorities. Job experience, contact with the elderly, understanding of mistreatment laws, and positive attitudes toward reporting should increase detection, reporting, and overall satisfaction with the system. These causal factors, however, increased detection and reporting, but not satisfaction. Improvements in training and knowledge in elder mistreatment can be counterpro-ductive.

The rise of politics and the decline of vulnerability as criteria in disaster decisions of the United States, 1953-2009

This paper examines the shift from vulnerability to political responsiveness in presidential and gubernatorial disaster decisions in the United States from 1953-2009 (President Dwight D. Eisenhower to President Barack Obama) using annual request, declaration, and approval data from multiple sources. It makes three key conclusions: first, the 1988 Stafford Act expanded federal coverage to all categories of disasters, added a significant range of individual types of assistance, and provided extensive funding for recovery planning. Second, the election effects on disaster decisions increased over time whereas the impact of social and economic vulnerability (measured by scope of disaster) declined. Third, the changes affected governors more than presidents, and the choices of governors drove those of presidents. The analysis underscores the increasingly political nature of the disaster decision-making process, as well as the difficulty in emphasising mitigation and preparedness as intensively as response and recovery. Proactive intervention yields fewer political rewards than responsiveness.

Rehabilitating the Raters: An Assessment of Interest Group Ratings of Congress

This study examines the validity of interest group ratings of Congress during the period 1959 to 1981. The ratings themselves have been controversial. Many members of Congress find them to be distorted and unrepresentative. The arguments for and against ratings are examined in a dimensional context. Most interest group ratings load very highly on a single liberal-conservative dimension. Contrary to the arguments of rating critics, both single- and general-issue groups produce ratings which are representative of the underlying dimension, suggesting that on broad questions of political philosophy, most ratings are valid measures.

The dilemma of elder abuse

The Alabama Protective Services Act of 1976 was designed to protect adults over 18 made vulnerable because of age, mental deficiency, or poor health. All practitioners of the healing arts are mandated to report if there is reasonable cause to believe abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred.

Teaching the Vietnam War: An Examination of History, Policy, and Impact.

The study of the politics of the Vietnam War raises some interesting dilemmas for both teachers and students. Opinions differ about the importance of the war to the politics and history of the United States. Many books are available concerning the American involvement in the Vietnam war, but most accounts differ from book to book. The relevance of the Vietnam experience needs to be discussed in a broader perspective. Certainly, the Vietnam war was different than any war fought previously by the United States of America. Recently, a professor at a southern university defined war as having winners and losers (c.f. Emerson, 1976). She then asked her 150-student American government class to identify the winner of the Vietnam war. Because no one could provide an answer, her second question concerned the last time American troops were used in a foreign country. The answer the professor was expecting was the Christmas 1989 invasion of Panama. No one made the correct identification. The only student who hazarded a response suggested that the last use of troops was in Nicaragua! If students have difficulty remembering what happened a few months in the past, they are likely to conceive of the Vietnam war as ancient history. Yet, the war provides lessons that future decision makers need to learn. One dilemma for teachers is choice among subject matter. American policies are important, but other factors need examination as well. Should a combination of both American and Vietnamese politics (North and South) be considered? What about those who stayed home, protested, or went to Canada? The material can be overwhelming.