Under the Influence

A Case Study of the Elks, MADD, and DUI Policy

John C. Mero

What are the potentially negative consequences of an undeniably good public policy? Under the Influence examines how the Elks, one of the oldest lodge-based voluntary associations in America, may have been impacted by government policies such as DUI laws. To examine this empirically, author John C. Mero conducted interviews with fifty-five California and Florida Elk Exalted Rulers. What emerges from the interviews is a voluntary association in transition: having been affected by stricter DUI laws and other government policies over the past few decades, the Elks are reevaluating their approach to associational life. They have demonstrated a willingness to change with the times since their founding as the Jolly Corks in 1884, and—in response to the unintended consequences of more recent government policies—the Elks are seeking new opportunities to contribute to American civil society.

University Press of America

Pages: 147 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7618-6559-9 • Hardback • April 2015 • $80.00 • (£62.00)

978-0-7618-6560-5 • eBook • May 2015 • $76.00 • (£58.00)

Subjects: Social Science / Sociology / Rural, History / United States / 20th Century, Social Science / Research, Law / Transportation, Social Science / Law and Society

Under the Influence

A Case Study of the Elks, MADD, and DUI Policy

Hardback

eBook

Summary

What are the potentially negative consequences of an undeniably good public policy? Under the Influence examines how the Elks, one of the oldest lodge-based voluntary associations in America, may have been impacted by government policies such as DUI laws. To examine this empirically, author John C. Mero conducted interviews with fifty-five California and Florida Elk Exalted Rulers. What emerges from the interviews is a voluntary association in transition: having been affected by stricter DUI laws and other government policies over the past few decades, the Elks are reevaluating their approach to associational life. They have demonstrated a willingness to change with the times since their founding as the Jolly Corks in 1884, and—in response to the unintended consequences of more recent government policies—the Elks are seeking new opportunities to contribute to American civil society.

Details

University Press of America

Pages: 147 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7618-6559-9 • Hardback • April 2015 • $80.00 • (£62.00)

978-0-7618-6560-5 • eBook • May 2015 • $76.00 • (£58.00)

Subjects: Social Science / Sociology / Rural, History / United States / 20th Century, Social Science / Research, Law / Transportation, Social Science / Law and Society

Author

John C. Mero is an assistant professor of political science and public administration at Campbell University.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1. The Elks, MADD, and DUI Policy: A Line of Inquiry?
Part I
Chapter 2. From Jolly Corks to Elks
Chapter 3. The Elk Lodge Bar
Chapter 4. American Fraternal Associations and the Elks
Part II
Chapter 5. The Origin and Growth of MADD
Chapter 6. Interest Groups, Professional Advocacy Groups, and MADD
Part III
Chapter 7. MADD on the Rise: Leveraging State Action to Enact DUI Policy
Chapter 8. Elks in Decline: How DUI Policy and Other Factors Affect Association Membership
Chapter 9. Why Is the Decline of the Elks Important?
Part IV
Chapter 10. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

Under the Influence

A Case Study of the Elks, MADD, and DUI Policy

John C. Mero

Under the Influence

A Case Study of the Elks, MADD, and DUI Policy

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