EXPLAINING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATIVE TERM LIMITS

A number of theories have been offered to explain popular support for term limits and their passage in states across the country. Using surv ey data from the 1992 American National Election Study and several oth er statewide surveys, this article examines the following explanations for term limits support: dissatisfaction with Congress and state legi slatures, cynicism, self-interest, and ideology. An analysis of these data suggest that term limits support is not influenced by a dissatisf action with legislatures or particular incumbents or by a specific ide ology. Instead, support for term limits is related to cynicism and, to some extent, self-interest.