How powerful are US state governors? - Thad Kousser

Summary

The transcript discusses the dynamics of gubernatorial power and political negotiations, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by unpopular governors in the U.S. Despite low approval ratings, governors who are skilled at negotiating with legislatures can achieve significant policy success. It also highlights how factors like partisan polarization, the legislature's structure, and the budget process influence a governor's ability to enact policies. Governors running for president often struggle with state governance as they shift focus to national campaigns. The analysis explores the intricate balance of power and strategy between governors and state legislatures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Unpopular governors, despite their low approval ratings, can still be highly successful by making practical requests and working effectively with the legislature.
• 😀 Successful governors tend to ask for realistic goals that can be achieved, avoiding over-ambitious demands that are unlikely to pass.
• 😀 Unlike other chief executives, governors in the U.S. must persuade the legislature to achieve their goals, as they lack the direct powers to introduce bills.
• 😀 The structure of a state's legislature, particularly whether it's a professional full-time or citizen legislature, significantly impacts a governor's ability to succeed.
• 😀 Governors from states with unified government (one-party control) are more likely to pass major legislation compared to those with divided government.
• 😀 Polarized political environments in states, similar to Washington D.C., make it more difficult for governors to find common ground and pass legislation.
• 😀 The governor's advantage in budget negotiations stems from the necessity of passing a balanced budget to avoid a state shutdown, which forces the legislature to engage in negotiations.
• 😀 When the legislature does not have to pass a policy change (such as a new law), governors may struggle to achieve their legislative goals, as legislators can simply maintain the status quo.
• 😀 Governors' success is often more closely tied to their popularity than the size or partisanship of their policy proposals, although popular governors tend to ask for bigger, more ideologically aligned changes.
• 😀 Governors running for president tend to perform poorly in their state roles, as they focus on national political strategy rather than effective governance, often proposing policies that won't pass in their state.

Q & A

What makes a governor successful according to the script?

A governor's success depends on their ability to work with the legislature, often by asking for achievable goals rather than aiming for unrealistic requests. A successful governor works with their political environment and adapts their strategy to negotiate effectively, even in difficult circumstances.

How does a governor's popularity affect their effectiveness?

Popular governors tend to ask for large, ambitious goals that align with their ideologies, but they often face resistance in achieving them. Unpopular governors, on the other hand, may start with more modest requests, which can make it easier for them to get legislative approval.

Why are unpopular governors sometimes more successful in pushing legislation?

Unpopular governors tend to start with easier, more realistic requests, which are more likely to be approved by the legislature. This strategic approach, coupled with their willingness to compromise, allows them to achieve more than a popular governor who demands ambitious, ideological goals.

What does the concept of 'governor's power to persuade' mean?

The 'governor's power to persuade' refers to a governor's ability to build relationships, negotiate, and leverage political capital to influence the legislature, rather than relying solely on institutional powers like vetoes or budget control.

How does the structure of a state's legislature influence a governor's power?

The power of a governor is influenced by the structure of the legislature, especially whether it is a part-time or full-time body. Governors in states with part-time, citizen legislatures tend to have more influence because legislators are less experienced and more likely to follow the governor's lead.

What role does partisan polarization play in a governor's ability to enact legislation?

In highly polarized states, where the parties are far apart ideologically, it becomes harder for governors to find common ground with the legislature, making it more difficult to pass legislation. However, in states with less polarized politics, governors may be more successful by appealing to a broader range of legislators.

What advantage do governors have in the budget process?

Governors have an advantage in the budget process because the budget must be passed each year, and failure to do so has serious consequences. This urgency forces the legislature to negotiate and compromises with the governor, allowing them to secure more of their agenda.

What is the relationship between game theory and governor-legislator negotiations?

Game theory is used to analyze how governors and legislators negotiate. It suggests that when both sides face consequences for not reaching an agreement, such as a government shutdown, they are more likely to come to a fair deal. Governors are generally more powerful in budget negotiations due to the necessity of passing a balanced budget.

Why do governors running for president perform poorly in their state duties?

Governors running for president often perform poorly in their state duties because they prioritize national political goals over local governance. Their actions may focus on appealing to national voters, resulting in requests that are unlikely to pass in their state legislature, such as controversial policies designed for campaign purposes.

What is the impact of a governor's ideological stance on their legislative success?

A governor's ideological stance plays a significant role in legislative success. If a governor asks for policies that align with their party's ideology but are highly polarized, they may struggle to gain support. Governors who are able to navigate the middle ground or work across the aisle often achieve more success.