representation in congress Flashcards
what are the three functions of congress
create legislation, provide oversight and representation
Representation - describe the trustee model
legislature are allowed their own judgement and are trusted to make decisions bades on behalf of others. They use ‘mature judgement’
It is more of an outdated model
Representation. - describe the delegate model
legislatures follow theur constituents’ preferences so they can’t follow much private judgement. Members of the house place more importance on this because they are elected every 2 years
why do congress members place importance on representing the interests of their constitution x 4
1 they must live in the state they represent so they know what needs to be done
2 - ‘locality rule’ they must live in the district they represent
3 - must be born and raised and educated in the state
4 - short terms: House of reps only two years!!
This means that the legislatures are very familiar with the state so have a further connection and will to do well for their constituents
why is engaging with constituents really important
because if they aren’t satisfied they wont vote the rep in again
they should visit the state as much as they can but this depends on how far away the state is from Washington state where they work. This is why some reps can only go back at easter or christmas breaks
how can reps hold engagement with their constituents
holding town hall meetings, interviews in local newspapers, visiting schools, hospitals and businesses
how can they represent their constituents
voting on legislation in congress, lobbying agencies of relevant policies or consituency case work such as gaining money for projects to benefit their states
what is pork barrel politics
allocation of federal spending for projects specifically designed to bring money or benefit to an elected representative’s constituents.
eg public works projects such as airports, bridges or roads or agricultural subsidies
criticisms of pork barrel politics
waste of gov spending
what does incumbency mean
the period that a person is in a position - this rate is increasing because people are more partisan in their voting. This means that the representative has a better chance at winning their seat again against their challenger
what is the financial advantage of being an incumbent
the financial advantage - the more money the more likely you are to win
EG 2016 the average cost of winning a senate seat was $10.4 million and over $1 million for the house
Incumbents are in a better position to fundraise. They already have a base of supporters to reach out to for donations. Incumbents have experience fundraising and understand what tactics to use.
what is the media advantage to being an incumbent
they will be well known by the electorate which gives them a media advantage. Voters are more familiar with their representative
what are the factors affecting voting in congress x5
political parties
pressure from administration
colleagues and staff
personal belivefs
constituents
pressure groups
political parties in voting
for some reps their party’s views are more important than their constituencies views.
often called a party vote which causes major issues on ideological matters such as gun control and abortion
party vote is much more common now
‘sticks and carrots’ cant really encourage party voting - sticks are threat of deselection which isn’t applicable because the voters decide on the candidates in the primary election
carrots such as being put in the executive branch doesn’t work because the leg and exec are separate institutions
pressure groups in voting
can make direct contacts with members and attempt to get public support and fundraise which helps funds politicians to support their cause and to defeat those who don’t
Abortion is very common on this - pro life/pro choice
when voting, reps will be conscious of which pressure groups have donated to them and vote accordingly
