Divided Government Change, Uncertainty, and the Constitutional Order

by Galderisi, Peter F.; Doherty, Joseph; Fiorina, Morris P.; Herzberg, Roberta Q.; Jacobson, Gary C.; McNamara, Peter; Milkis, Sidney M.; Petrocik, John R.; Rieselbach, Leroy N.; Silbey, Joel H.

• ISBN13: 9780847682966
• ISBN10: 084768296X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-08-30
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

As the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the federal government becomes increasingly hostile, more Americans are wondering whether national politics can be described as gridlock or good government. This provocative and insightful collection of original essays provides answers by exploring the complicated nature and multiple implications of divided government in the United States. The distinguished contributors analyze the consequences of the 1992 and 1994 elections and argue that discussions of divided government are too narrowly focused on the issue of partisan division of governmental institutions. Divided Government convincingly shows how political scientists have downplayed the significance of Constitutional rules, legislative policy disaggregation, and the decline of party organization. They conclude that divided government, in its broader institutional context, will continue regardless of which parties control the different branches.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Preface
Introduction : Divided Government Past and Present	p. 1
Divided Government in Historical Perspective, 1789-1996	p. 9
The Causes and Consequences of Divided Government: Lessons of 1992-1994	p. 35
Divided Government and the 1994 Elections	p. 61
The Road to Divided Government: Paved without Intention	p. 85
It's the Constitution, Stupid! Congress, the President, Divided Government, and Policymaking	p. 109
The New Deal, the Modern Presidency, and Divided Government	p. 135
Unity versus Division: The Effect of Divided Government on Policy Development	p. 173
Doing One's Job: A Constitutional Principle and a Political Strategy for an Uncertain Future	p. 191
Bibliography	p. 213
Index	p. 229
About the Contributors	p. 239
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