“CLEAN/GOOD GOVERNMENT”
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
GO 222
Heather Miki and Lauren Lange
Moralistic Political Culture





Emphasis on
commonwealth
Participation in
politics viewed as
civic duty
Corruption not
tolerated
Issue-oriented
politics
Trust in the political
system
Historical Background



Puritans settle in New
England
Culture travels across
the upper Great Lakes
into the Midwest to the
Northwest
Influx of Scandinavian
and northern European
groups reinforces
values
Demographics
+0.9%
+0.7%
Rank: 29
+0.6%
+0.5%
Rank: 38
Rank: 51
-0.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, “America’s Fastest Growing States,” 2007-2008
Demographics
Population
IA
3 million
MI
Approx. Area
Density
(sq miles)
(people/ sq mile)
#30
56,000
#26
53
10 million
#8
98,000
#11
179
MN
5.3 million
#21
87,000
#12
65
WI
5.7 million
#20
65,500
#23
99
Demographics
Rural vs. Urban
Percentage of the Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, http://www.allcountries.org/,1990
Racial Diversity
6%
16%
13%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, http://quickfacts.census.gov, 2009
65%
Religious Diversity

Iowa & Minnesota’s denominational breakdowns
Source: http://www.religionatlas.org, 2001
Economic Profile
USA
Measure of State High
Tech Economy
% in
Manufacturing
$38,600
60.3
10
$35,000
#27
52.2
#38
15.1
#4
$35,000
#26
60
#23
14.5
#7
MN
$41,000
#11
68.7
#13
12.3
#14
WI
$36,000
#25
52
#40
17.4
#2
IA
MI
Sources:
Per Capita Income
U.S. Census Bureau, “Personal Income Per Capita,” 2007
State New Economy Index, 2002
U.S. Census Bureau, “Percent in Manufacturing,” 2007
Economic Conditions
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis,
U.S. Dept. of Commerce, as reported in
the 2007 Iowa Fact Book
Political Analysis


Cultural Homogeneity

Greater investment in programs that cater to the majority

Marginalization of minorities
Dominant Working Class


Solid health care programs
Moralistic Political Culture

Decisive factor that affects many policy outcomes
Policy Outcome: Uninsured Population
% of Women and Children Without Insurance
#1
Source: U.S Census Bureau, “Population Survey Annual Social and
Economic Supplement,” Prepared for the March of Dimes, 2006
Policy Outcome: Health Coverage
% infant
mortality
% white mothers receiving % black mothers receiving
prenatal coverage
prenatal coverage
IA
5.6
87.7
75
MI
8
87
71.5
MN
5.3
86
64.5
WI
7.1
87
66.2
Source : 4 Policy Outcome Spreadsheet
Policy Outcome: Education & Crime Control
EDUCATION
High School Graduation Rate
CRIME CONTROL
# of Prisoners
(per 100,000 people)
IA
80.1 %
#13
252
#11
472
#38
MI
76.8 %
MN
82.4 %
#6
125
#1
WI
78.6 %
#21
375
#25
#25
Sources : National Education Association, “Rankings & Estimates,” 2009
The Disaster Center, “Uniform Crime Report,”
Policy Outcome: Welfare Spending
Average Monthly
Stipend
for a Family of 3
Per Capita
Income
Measure of State
High Tech
Economy
IA
$426
#21
$35,000
#27
52.2
#38
MI
$459
#17
$35,000
#26
60
#23
MN
$536
#12
$41,000
#11
68.7
#13
WI
$673
#3
$36,000
#25
52
#40
Source : 4 Policy Outcome Spreadsheet
“CLEAN/GOOD GOVERNMENT”
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
GO 222
Heather Miki and Lauren Lange