Replication Data for: The Dead Hand of the Past? Toward an Understanding of \"Constitutional Veneration\"

[Abstract]: Some observers argue that excessive veneration of the U.S. Constitution has blinded Americans to its flaws and made them reluctant to consider necessary reforms. In this paper, we test the assumptions that underlie these claims. We report the results of two survey experiments that examine the existence and effects of constitutional status quo bias at both the state and federal levels. Our findings support the notion that a proposed policy involving constitutional change imbues the constitutional status quo with normative value and, in turn, disposes individuals to resist the proposal. These results hold even at the state level. In addition to the institutional obstacles to constitutional amendment, therefore, we find evidence of another, psychological barrier to constitutional change that is based specifically in a sense of constitutional attachment.

[摘要]：有观察者指出，对美国宪法（U.S. Constitution）的过度尊崇，使美国人无视其固有缺陷，进而不愿考量必要的改革举措。本研究旨在检验支撑上述主张的各项假设，报告两项调查实验的结果，用以考察州级与联邦层面的宪法现状偏差（constitutional status quo bias）的存在性及其影响。研究结果证实：涉及宪法修改的拟议政策会赋予宪法现状以规范性价值，进而使个体产生抵制该提议的倾向，且这一结论在州级层面同样成立。因此，除修宪所面临的制度性障碍之外，本研究还发现了另一项具体源于宪法依恋感的修宪心理障碍相关证据。