City Learning: Evidence of Policy Information Diffusion from a Survey of U.S. Mayors

Abstract

Most studies of policy diffusion attempt to infer the processes through which policies spread by observing outputs (policy adoptions). We approach these issues from the other direction by directly analyzing a key policymaking inputinformation about others' policies. Moreover, we do so by investigating policy diffusion in cities rather than states. Using a survey of U.S. mayors, more specifically, mayors' own lists of cities they look to for ideas, we find evidence that distance, similarity, and capacity all influence the likelihood of a policy maker looking to a particular jurisdiction for policy information. We also consider whether these traits are complements or substitutes and provide some evidence for the latter. Specifically, we find that at times mayors eschew similarity and distance to look to highly respected "high capacity" cities but that there is no tradeoff between distance and similarity.

Cooperation and Conflict in State and Local Innovation During COVID-19

“…In terms of implementing federal policy, states can fall in line, but they can also defy, bargain, and renegotiate (Hill & Weissert, 1995). Horizontally, state and local governments learn from or imitate each other as well as compete (Einstein et al, 2019; Karch, 2007; Mallinson & Hannah, 2020). Learning, imitation, and competition were all present in state responses to COVID-19 (Shipan & Volden, 2020).…”

Diffusion and Typology: The Invention and Early Adoption of Medicinal Marijuana and Offshore Wind Policies

“…Third, I ask: From whom did they learn? Several types of factors influence this decision, as shown in Table 2: Existing network connections often play a role (Yi and Chen, 2019), as do perceptions of other jurisdictions (Einstein, Glick, and Palmer, 2019); similarities across jurisdictions (Butler et al, 2017); access to policy models elsewhere (Desmarais, Harden, and Boehmke, 2015); and whether they are modifying existing policy rather than creating something from scratch (Karch and Cravens, 2014). Adapted from Motta (2018), which, in turn, was a synthesis of concepts described in Bennett and Howlett (1992), Berry and Berry (1999); Rogers (2010), Rose (1993;2004), and Sabatier and Mazmanian (1989).…”

“…Lessons from the experiences of other governments are one of the most common sources of information for policymakers (Einstein, Glick, and Palmer, 2019), resulting in the diffusion of public policies across governmental borders. This article analyzes the invention and early-stage diffusion of medical marijuana (MM) and offshore wind energy (OSW) policies in U.S. states.…”

Local Responses to a Global Pandemic: Women Mayors Lead the Way

“…Women's greater emphasis on social issues (Barnes, Beall, and Holman 2020; Funk and Philips 2019) might also explain why these mayors’ response plans included social protections. And, insights from research on policy diffusion (Einstein, Glick, and Palmer 2019) and political role models (Stokes-Brown and Dolan 2010) suggests women mayors may look to one another for guidance. Thus, other women mayors may model their pandemic responses after these innovative leaders.…”