| Abstract: | A potentially fruitful but partially explored dimension of thestudy of state policy innovations concerns the patterns of reformin the organization, structure, and personnel of state courtsystems. This study considers the adoption of merit judicialselection by nearly half of the states during the 1960s and1970s. Specific attention is given to testing the hypothesisadvanced by prior research that the Merit Plan was a strategicinitiative launched by rural political interests in responseto the threatened growth of urban political power in the wakeof reapportionment. Empirical evidence concerning the circumstancesof the reform campaigns that produced the Plan, the patternsof legislative sponsorship, and the nature of voter supportsuggest, however, that the political base for the Merit Planand associated court reforms has been in urban areas. The implicationsof the findings for future inquiry into the patterns of court-relatedinnovations are then explored. |
