What is more, using statistical techniques we actually find evidence of cause and effect: having a more isolated capital city seems to lead to more corruption.
But why would thatbe the case? It turns out that having an isolated capital city affects many of the most important sources of accountability that keep politicians in check. Start with the media, and specifically newspapers.
It turns out that outlets whose readers are closer to the capital tend to devote significantly more coverage to state politics and politicians. For instance, consider the case of New York.
The difference is even starker when it comes to other state officials: Sheldon Silver, the longstanding Speaker of the State Assembly, was about five times as likely to be mentioned in the Times Union as in the Times. In light of that, it is not surprising to find that people who live farther from the state capital are on average less knowledgeable and less interested in state politics. They are also less inclined to turn out to vote in state-level elections, or to contribute money to state-level campaigns.
Put simply, citizens who are relatively disinterested and uninformed are less likely to engage with state politics, and this further weakens accountability. This picture of less accountability also appears in a finding that would certainly disconcert the old proponents of the idea of isolating the capital as a bulwark against capture by powerful economic interests: states with more isolated capitals actually have more money in state politics, and that money comes disproportionately from those who are closer to the capital.
All of this seems to matter in very tangible ways. We find that states with isolated capitals tend to spend less, and less effectively, in the provision of public goods such as education, and to spend more on administrative expenditures instead. Politicians in isolated capitals seem to deliver less for the states that they run. From this reasoning, it does not necessarily follow that the capital should be moved from Albany to New York City, or from Sacramento to Los Angeles.
In addition, many other factors affect how much corruption will prevail in a given place. It is important to recognize, however, that politicians in isolated state capitals, like the proverbial mice paired with an oft-absent cat, need special vigilance. Please read our comments policy before commenting. Filipe R. Click here to cancel reply. Facebook Facebook. Isolated state capitals such as Albany and Sacramento are associated with less accountability and worse governance.
Isolated state capitals such as Albany and Sacramento are associated with less accountability and worse governance Share this:. New Orleans had the title twice before the titlesettled on Baton Rouge in Augusta was named the state capital in Woodrow Wilson grew up in Augusta and you can still visit his boyhood home today.
From November 26, , to August 13, , Annapolis was the location of the nation? The statehouse where George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in and where the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War was ratified in still stands in Annapolis.
There was once a flood of molasses in Boston thatkilled21 people. Some claim that parts of Boston's North End still smelllike molasses on a hot day. Detroit had a population of just over 1 million residents in and now has just over , residents. State Capital: St. Paul Largest City: Minneapolis. Minneapolis is one of the top 50 largest cities in the country, with , residents. The capitol building, completed in and designed by CassGilbert , was also modeled after St.
Peter's Basilicain Rome. Jackson was named after President Andrew Jackson and was chosen as the capital in Jackson has a population of approximately , residents. The first Republican party convention was held in Jackson on July 6, Jefferson City was specifically designed to be the state capital.
Helena was founded after the discovery of gold in Last Chance Gulch now Helena's main street and grew rapidly. As the area's stores of gold and silver were depleted, other minerals, including copper, leadand zinc were discovered and exploited. In , the village of Lancaster renamed Lincoln became the state capital.
Lincoln is the home of the National Museum of Roller Skating. Carson City became the capital of the Nevada Territory in and stayed its capital when it became a state.
Las Vegas has approximately , residents and the popular tourist destination isoften thought to be the state capital. Concord has been the capital city of New Hampshire since Levi Hutchins of Concord invented the first alarm clock in Trenton became New Jersey's capital in November Trenton's pottery industry dates back to colonial times.
Santa Fe became the capital of the Territory of New Mexicoin and remained its capital when it achieved statehood in Kingston was the first capital in New York, until the British burned it down in The title then passed over the Albany 20 years later in New York City, nicknamed? The Big Apple,? Like Jefferson City, Raleigh designated the capital in was also planned and built to be the capital city.
Bismarck became the capital of the Dakota Territory in and stayed its capital when it became a state in Columbus was laid out as the state capital in but did not take over the government from Chillicothe until Oklahoma City became the capital in Today, the city has a population of approximately, residents. Oklahoma City was the first city to install parking meters.
Salem was chosen as the capital of the territory of Oregon in and later designated the state capital in Salem's Waldo Park is only 12 by 20 feet and is one of the smallest parks in nation. Harrisburg was named the capital of Pennsylvania in The state capital building in Harrisburg is modeled after St.
Peter's Basilicain the Vatican City. In , Philadelphia was the fifth largest city in the U. Providence was founded in , which makes it one of the oldest cities in the United States. Rhode Island originally had five capital cities, and then, eventually two--Newport and Providence. Providence became the sole capital of the state in In Providence it is illegal to wear transparent clothing. It is also illegal to selltoothpaste and a toothbrush to the same person on a Sunday. Columbia became the capital in Pierre became the permanent capital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls has just over , residents.
Nashville -- nicknamed the City of Music -- was the capital of Tennessee twice. The city was first the capital from to and then in , Nashville became the permanent capital of the state. In , Austin once named Waterloo became the capital of Texas. In , the capital moved to Houston and then in , Austin again became the capital. Salt Lake City was capital of the territory of Utah in , and in , it became the capital of the new state. Salt Lake City has , residents. The largest genealogical libraryin the world is in Salt Lake City.
The Family History Library is open to the public and free of charge. Montpelier became the state capital in It has the smallest population 7, of all the state capitals. Burlington has just over 42, residents and is located on the eastern shore ofLake Champlain.
Richmond replaced Williamsburg as the state capital in In Richmond it is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who will pay for coffee.
Virginia Beach has , residents. Olympia was the state capital before it was even a town. Olympia was named the provisional capital in and confirmed as the official capital in Olympia wasn't incorporated as a town until Seattle has , residents and is known for being the headquarters ofStarbucks, Microsoft andAmazon.
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