Abstract
Operation of large-scale gambling by crime syndicates requires both a popular desire to consume illegal services and at least tacit acceptance by local officials. In "Wincanton," a middle-sized industrial city, city officials were paid to overlook gambling, and also engaged in other corrupt activities. A survey of city residents indicated general tolerance or approval of gambling, but hostility toward all forms of official corruption. When corruption was exposed by federal investigators, Wincanton voters elected reform candidates for local offices. Analysis of voting patterns indi cates that voting in reform elections parallels normal party voting patterns; a constant proportion of voters in each pre cinct in the city will deviate from their normal party allegiance following exposures of corruption.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.