Interpretations And Debates Around Congress Flashcards
How has domestic policy powers changed in regards to congress?
Have gained power to levy federal income tax, the federal govt has been more interventionst in social and economic change, increased party polarisation means that ppl have looked to federal govt rather than congress to take the leadd and establish homogenous policy
How have the powers of congress changed in terms of foreign policy?
Have become more interventionist sonce the 1940s and engaged in conflicts. Congress technically has control over declaration of war but have tried to claw it back, can use the powers of the purse to limit presidential spending on conflicts
What examples are there of congress’ reduced power in domestic policy?
New Deal under Roosevelt, Obamacare
What examples are there of Congress’ changing power in terms of foreign policy?
1973 war powers act- said that if the president takes military action, then it must be approved by congress for anything after 90 days, 2007 over spending in Iraq, however Obama vetod over air strikes ordered in Syria
How are congress successful in their representative role?
Increased diversity in terms of race and gender, frequent elections, members act as both trustees and delegates, influence of caucuses for under-represented groups, pressure groups have influence on behalf of the public
How have congress been unsuccessful in their representative role?
Women and non-white groups still under-represented, gerrymandering means that parties can easily rig the elections in their favour, 2 party system is heavily enforced, caucus system not neccesarily as effective as a multiparty system, pressure groups may distort representation
How has the significance of parties in congress changed?
Parties have become much more significant post 1980s due to polarisation, because of lack of cooperation and bipartisanship parties have a greater influence in the way congress works
What arguments are ther in favour of party renewal since the 1980s?
Party decline has been exaggerated, campaigns have become more nationalised increasing the party view, party leadership power has become more centralised rather than state-based or spread out meaning that partis have become more homogenous, increased partisanship
What evidence is there if favour of party renewal?
Death of the republican paarty was touted after the watergate scandal but a candidate was reelected within 6 years, death of democrats called after the shift of the party to the left on 60s-80s but party was relected via the Clinton-Gore ticket in ‘92, 1994 and 2002 republican campaigns nationalised, democrats with their ‘six for ‘06’ campaign, decline in the use of conference comittees
How is congress effective/ less effective in terms of oversight?
Divided govt: oversight more effective as party loyalties dont apply, may not be effective if seen as a chance to score points politically,
united govt: less scrutiny, complacency
President has mandate to act upon platform pledges, in national crisis, president will have greater power, oversight less effective
How effective is congress in terms of legislation?
Have historically helped pass major peices of legislation that have shaped the USA e.g., new deal (1930s), great society (1960s), patriot act (2001), american recovery reinvestment act (2009), CARES act (2020)
What arguments are tthere in favout of congress being effective?
Legisltive process is extensive, checks and balances along with supermajorites create the need for consensus and bipartisanship, increased party leader control and closed rules debates
What are the arguments against congress being effective?
Only 2-3% of bills actually pass, polarisation and partisanship, gridlock, fillibusters, presidential vetos
