An Assessment of Research on American Counties

Abstract

In a 1992 issue of this journal, 12 scholars proposed an ambitious research agenda for the study of the American county. By all accounts, this agenda was both a catalyst and a guide for those interested in the nature, role, functions, operations, and practical relevance of county governments to either continue their research or to launch new studies in this underresearched area. The present article provides a detailed inventory of the research that has been conducted in the eight areas identified in the 1992 agenda. Specifically, which research questions have or have not been addressed satisfactorily? Such an exercise is a logical prerequisite for charting a path for future research on counties; it represents a synthesis of scholarly needs for theory building, hypothesis testing, and cumulative research and the dynamic and enduring knowledge-base needs of county practitioners and elected officials.

Selection and Passage of County Land Preservation Voter Referendum: The Role of Government

“…This central finding is also true for those counties located in states with political cultures that support an expansive role for counties, and are most responsive to citizen needs and expectations for both municipal and urban-type services (Benton, 2005).…”

“…Citizens expected county government to be more responsive to their service needs, similar to municipalities (Benton, 2002a;Duncombe, 1977;Benton, 2005). New areas of county service include fire protection, utilities, libraries, planning and zoning, and protective inspections.…”

“…In the past 30 years, county government scholarly research increased markedly and became more analytical and explanatory (Menzel et al, 1992;Cigler, 1994;Menzel, 1995;Benton, 2002aBenton, , 2005Benton et al, 2007;Callahan, 2007). Today, American county governments have been rediscovered for both practical and scholarly investigation (Benton, 2005(Benton, , 2007.…”

“…Today, American county governments have been rediscovered for both practical and scholarly investigation (Benton, 2005(Benton, , 2007.…”

“…Counties have always been at the center of state and local politics, and they continue to be the subject of efforts to modernize and reform governmental structures (Benton et al, 2007). An assessment of research on the American counties in the 1990s found the agenda included its "structure, reform, and performance" (Benton, 2005).…”