The Personal Vote : Constituency Service and Electoral Independence

Cain, Bruce, Ferejohn, John A., Fiorina, Morris P.

ISBN 10: 0674663187 / ISBN 13: 9780674663183

Published by Harvard University Press, 1990

Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 45173209-6

Synopsis:

Modern legislators are increasingly motivated to serve their constituents in personal ways. Representatives act like ultimate ombudsmen: they keep in close touch with their constituents and try to cultivate a relationship with them based on service and accessibility. The Personal Vote describes the behavior of representatives in the United States and Great Britain and the response of their constituents as well. It shows how congressmen and members of Parliament earn personalized support and how this attenuates their ties to national leaders and parties.

The larger significance of this empirical work arises from its implications for the structure of legislative institutions and the nature of legislative action. Personalized electoral support correlates with decentralized governing institutions and special-interest policy making. Such systems tend to inconsistency and stalemate. The United States illustrates a mature case of this development, and Britain is showing the first movements in this direction with the decline of an established two-party system, the rise of a centrist third party, greater volatility in the vote, growing backbench independence and increasing backbench pressure for committees and staff.

This book is essential for specialists in American national government, British politics, and comparative legislatures and comparative parties.

About the Author: Bruce E. Cain is Robson Professor of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, and Director, Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of "The Reapportionment Puzzle "(California, 1984) and coauthor of "The Personal Vote "(1987) and "Congressional Redistricting "(1992). Elisabeth R. Gerber is Professor of Public Policy and Director of the State and Local Policy Center, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. She is the author of "The Populist Paradox: Interest Group Influence and the Promise of Direct Legislation "(1999) and coauthor of "Stealing the Initiative: How State Government Responds to Direct Democracy "(2000).

John is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Personal Vote : Constituency Service and...
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Publication Date: 1990
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: Very Good