Research Interests | Publications | Conference Papers | Education

Research Interests

Urban Politics, Local Finance, Collective Action Problems, Federalism, Congressional Lawmaking, Empirical Research Methodology

Publications

Minkoff, Scott L. 2009. "Minding Your Neighborhood: The Spatial Context of Local Redistribution." Social Science Quarterly 90 (3):516-37.

Abstract: Objectives. Previous research on local redistribution has not accounted for spatial context. I develop a model of local own-source redistributive spending that accounts for the economic characteristics and policy decisions of geographic neighbors. Methods. I estimate a modified spatial 2-SLS equation of own-source redistributive spending that appropriately accounts for endogeneity between neighboring policy decisions and own policy decisions. The dataset spans the 48 contiguous states and utilizes data from the 2000 Census and the 1997 Census of Governments—Finance among other sources. Results. I find that neighboring policy choices and economic characteristics are significantly related to own-source HCD spending decisions. Conclusions. The nuances of geographic context are a critical determinant of local redistributive spending decisions.

Conference Papers

Adler, E. Scott, Charles Cameron, and Scott L. Minkoff. "Bills Support Rates: What do they tell us about Theories of US Lawmaking." Prepared for the 2009 American Political Science Association Meetings: Toronto, Canada.

Abstract: We examine bill support rates (BSR), the percentage of times a member votes for a class of bills rather than the status quo on the final passage vote, as a function of her ideology. The set of BSR maximizers is the set of ideal points yielding maximal BSRs. Using simulations and simple derivations, we show that three theories of lawmaking – a simple Downsian Congress, a Party Cartel Congess, and a Veto Pivots Congress -- make quite distinct and very different predictions about the location and marginal shifts of the set of BSR maximizers. We formulate simple tests for each theory’s predictions and for the predictions that distinguish among the theories. We propose practical methods for implementing these tests statistically. Using newly assembled data, we calculate bill support rates and estimate the set of BSR maximizers for a variety of bill types in the House of Representatives in three congresses (the 102nd, 105th, and 106th). We carry out the required statistical tests. We are reluctant to over-interpret preliminary data. In further work we will extend the analysis to all post-war congresses, allowing stronger inferences and conclusions.

Education

Ph.D. University of Colorado, Political Science, Expected May 2011
Major Fields: American Politics and Empirical Methodology

M.A. University of Colorado, Political Science, May 2008
Master's Thesis: Minding Your Neighborhood: The Spatial Context of Local Redistribution
Committee: Dr. Susan Clarke, Dr. Kenneth Bickers, Dr. John P. McIver

B.A. Skidmore College, Government, May 2004
Undergraduate Thesis: Welfare Reform in Three Southern States
Advisor: Dr. Robert Turner