Authoritarianism and Proposition 14

Author

Herbert Henry Foster, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

1966

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Wilfred M. Mitchell

First Committee Member

David K. Bronner

Second Committee Member

W. Edgar Gregory

Abstract

In November of 1964, California voters approved by a very substantial margin the legislative measure known as Proposition 14, a hotly contested constitutional amendment which abolished all then-existing Fair Housing Legislation and prohibited local levels of government from acting in such matters in the future. This legislation was sponsored by the California Real Estate Association and essentially was a response to a recently passed Fair Housing Law known as the Rumford Act, which prohibited discrimination in the sale and rental of housing and assigned enforcement responsibilities to the State Fair Employment Practices Commission.

During the year preceding the election, the issue had become one of intense concern in California and to a lesser extent nationally. Official church bodies and other civic and professional organizations were drawn into strong opposition; volunteer opposition groups were formed throughout the state; the constitutionality of the measure was challenged in the State Supreme Court; and in general the matter became one of deep emotional involvement. Substantially, during the campaign, attitudes focused around the questions of morality, human rights, and constitutional rights.

Pages

45

Recommended Citation

Foster, Herbert Henry. (1966). Authoritarianism and Proposition 14. University of the Pacific, Thesis. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/1613