Citizen Responses to Dissatisfaction in Urban Communities: A Partial Test of a General Model

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluate the Exit, Voice, Loyalty, and Neglect [EVLN] model of citizen responses to dissatisfaction developed by Lyons and Lowery (1986). After summarizing its key propositions, we test the model with data gathered from 10 separate surveys of citizens living in matched pairs of independent cities and neighborhoods. Considerable support is found for a respecified version of the EVLN model, support that is then used to develop an integrated understanding of citizen responses to dissatisfaction with public services in urban communities.