Document Type
Article
Peer Reviewed
1
Publication Date
6-1987
Journal/Book/Conference Title
American Political Science Review
Volume
81
Abstract
A subset of citizens in a democratic system directly test their political self-efficacy by petitioning government for assistance of one kind or another. Drawing on survey data gathered in India in 1967, this investigation focuses on the consequences of success or failure for perceived self-efficacy and for perceived governmetn responsiveness. The analysis demonstrates that (1) successful petitioners come to enjoy a somewhat enhanced sense of self-efficacy but do not view government as particulary responsive, (2) unsuccessful petitioners do not see themselves as inefficacious but--possibly instead--do see government responsiveness in distinctly negative terms, and, (3) the kind of evidence that can help sustain a positive sense of self-efficacy will not suffice to undergird a belief in system responsiveness.
Published Article/Book Citation
American Political Science Review, 81:2 (1987) pp. 571-582.
Rights
Copyright 1987 American Political Science Association. Used by permission. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=PSR
URL
http://ir.uiowa.edu/polisci_pubs/43
