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Pat Brown Institute Public Policy Lecture Series (2004, No. 1)March 3, 2004The Schwarzenegger PhenomenonSiegrun Fox Freyss Department of Political Science California State University, Los Angeles Arnold Schwarzenegger’s meteoric rise combined with Gray Davis’ blazing crash has many people baffled. One could not see it coming, and explanations, ranging from Davis’ personal shortcomings to the allure of a Hollywood star, seem to capture only a small part of the sudden turn of events. This analysis wishes to add to the discourse by proposing that a certain political power constellation in the state favored a leadership style exemplified by Schwarzenegger. The study draws on community power research and on the political leadership literature to conclude that hyperpluralistic conditions in California pushed to the forefront a person who was willing to play the role of a turnaround artist, change agent, or populist community leader. Rather than disintegrating into paralyzing hyperpluralistic infighting, California politics may be at a point where it can be molded into a partnership regime. In such a political structure economic power is still held by a relatively small, white elite, but political power is increasingly dominated by the voting strength of racial and ethnic minorities. In a partnership regime both sides feel that it is in their best interest to respect each other’s power and to collaborate rather than engage in turf battles. A governor may be successful in a partnership regime when he or she acts as a power broker or mediator between the two main political camps. Location: CSLA, Maxwell Theatre (Student Union) Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
