SELF-INTEREST, SYMBOLIC VALUES, AND THE FINANCIAL EQUALIZATION OF THEPUBLIC-SCHOOLS

Using a natural experiment in which some school districts stood to los e dollars due to court-ordered financial equalization and others stood to gain dollars, I test theories of self-interest and symbolic politi cs as predictors of dependent variables with racial overtones. The dat a show a substantial self-interest effect. However, even with the pres ence of a self-interest effect, symbolic values are still important, m ost notably those associated with race. The self-interest calculation is then investigated. Relevant variables include levels of information , beliefs, and individual predispositions. The effect of these variabl es on self-interest demonstrates that the assessment of self-interest is not a simple mechanistic process, but contingent upon a variety of affective variables. Finally, I note that self-interest affects the ag gregate level of support for the dependent variable within district bu t has little effect on its relationship with symbolic values.