Defense Date

2-23-2004

Graduation Date

Spring 2004

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MA

Department

Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Pat Dunham

Committee Member

Charles F. Hanna

Keywords

approval rating, content analysis, media attention, public opinion

Abstract

This study focuses on political scandal and its effect on public policy creation. Using evidence from the Watergate, Iran Contra, Whitewater and Monica Lewinksy scandal, this study investigates the combined factors of political scandal, media and public opinion. This study hypothesizes a positive relationship between these combined factors and policy creation. In order to test the hypothesized relationship minor scandals were used for comparison throughout the study. Also content analysis, LexisNexis, and publications such as Congressional Quarterly were also used to gather the necessary research. The research shows that four out of the three major scandals researched supported the hypothesized relationship. Therefore this study supports the hypothesized relationship, and suggests that political scandals, under certain circumstances, do aid in the creation of policy.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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