The diffusion of Innovations among American states(Yarisa Figueroa)

3/16/16
The Diffusion of Innovations among the American States  
Jack L Walker    


Demographic Factors: After studying the acceptance of technological innovations by both individuals and organizations, several writers have concluded that the decision maker's relative wealth, or the degree to which "free floating" resources are available, are important determinants of the willingness to adopt new techniques or policies.'4 If "slack" resources are available, either in the form of money or a highly skilled, professional staff, the decision maker can afford the luxury of experiment and can more easily risk the possibility of failure.'5 Other studies, especially in the areas of agriculture and medicine, have also shown organizational size to be a strong correlate of innovation.

I think that when Walker speaks of innovation, he doesn't refer to anything more than adopting a new program. Even if a state adopts a new program begrudgingly and appropriates only $1000 to it, the state has adopted the new program. Furthermore, Walker refers only to programs adopted by state legislatures (not by bureaucrats). He thinks that when the program gets adopted by a state it will be  more recognized every where else and it will actually be known. It states that its difficult for states decision makers to want to resist even the weakest plans but  they don't want to make the public all arouse. I like that he states its is important for people showed encourage change and their social value, because most of  societies social value is based on ignorance.