Congress: Games and StrategiesCongress: Games and Strategies, fourth edition, is an up-to-date look at the 21st century Congress from the perspective of a professional political scientist and congressional staff member turned academic. As such, it provides both academic and real-world insights into the unique and often impenetrable world of our national legislature. Using the most recent academic literature as well as quotes from current members of Congress, it seeks to explore the overlap between theory and reality. The book uses a game analogy as an organizing theme and as a toolbox, recognizing that much of Congress' activity is understood by analyzing the players, the rules under which they work, the strategies they employ and the pattern of winning and losing that result. Updated through the 2008 election, the book includes a host of features intended to enhance comprehension, including boxes that allow students to hear what congressmen and congresswomen themselves say about the institution. |
Contents
CHAPTER OUTLINE | 16 |
The Electoral Game | 45 |
Chapter Summary | 97 |
Entering Congress and Staying There | 101 |
31b Understanding the Importance of the Demographic Mix | 111 |
Party Committee and Policy Teams within | 149 |
Congress the Media and the Public | 191 |
14a The Peoples Chamber | 217 |
The Procedures and Strategies That Determine | 245 |
The President | 287 |
Congress and Policy Results | 317 |
Games Can Change | 345 |
Answer Key | 379 |
Notes | 389 |
| 399 | |
| 419 | |
Common terms and phrases
100 Republicans Precinct 111th Congress 300 Democrats 300 Republicans action agenda allow amendments American Barack Obama bill Bill Clinton budget C-SPAN campaign finance Caucus challengers chamber chapter Clinton coalition colleagues congressional candidates congressional elections constituents Court debate decision deficit Democrats Democrats 100 Republicans district divided government electoral federal floor funds game environment George H. W. Bush goals gress House and Senate House members increased incumbents individual institution interest groups involves issues lawmakers leadership legislation legislature lobbying majority leader members of Congress minority Nancy Pelosi Newt Gingrich partisan party leaders percent percentage play players polls population pork barrel position president presidential programs redistricting reelection reform representative Republicans Robert Byrd role rules seats serve soft money spending staff strategies subcommittee television term limits tion U.S. Congress veto vote voters Washington White House winners winning