evaluting representation

Question 1

Arguments that Congress does represent the people well

Answer 1

Both houses are directly elected

Short (2-year) election cycle forces Congress to
reflect the views of constituents

Lack of party unity/party control gives individual politicians freedom to prioritise representing constituents over party

Question 2

Arguments that Congress doesn’t represent the people well

Answer 2

Winner takes all election system disadvantages minor
parties

Gerrymandering is designed to underrepresent some
groups and overrepresent others

Lack of social representativeness; Congress does not
‘look like America’

Influence of interest groups and the President on members
of Congress

Question 3

Evaluate the view that Congress effectively represents the
opinions and interests of US citizens.

Answer 3

1. Both houses directly elected
   Winner takes all electoral system
2. Short term times force Congress to listen to voters
   Gerrymandering means many safe seats and underrepresented groups
3. Lack of party control leaves members of Congress free to prioritise constituents
   Influence of pressure groups, caucuses, President
4. Congress is socially unrepresentative
   Congress is increasingly socially representative

Question 4

evaluate the view that the legislative process is more effectively influenced by pressure groups than by political parties

Answer 4

1. For: Parties have little control over individual members of Congress, low party unity, less than pressure
   groups through lobbying
   However, party unity and party control has increased through polarisation
2. Against: The activities of interest groups are legally restricted
   However, restrictions are ineffective
3. For: Members of Congress often rely financially more on interest groups than their parties
   However, members of Congress can also rely on support of their party’s leadership to win elections (e.g. coattails effect)
4. Against: Members of Congress are part of political party caucuses with a leadership and whips to persuade them
   However, whips have little power over members of Congress, esp. compared to the persuasive power
   of pressure groups ($$$)