Modeling Majoritarian Congressional Rule Changes In A Polarized Environment
Loading...
Authors
Benson, Seth
Issue Date
2023
Type
Journal articles
Language
Keywords
Polarization , Congressional Development
Alternative Title
Abstract
Legislative rules can have a profound impact on the legislative process. However, amid record levels of congressional polarization, little work has been done to project polarization’s impact on congressional development through rule changes. This study theorizes that, in a polarized environment, Congress will act in accordance with a proposed Partisan Distributive Game, in which increased minority obstruction is met with majoritarian rule changes. This theory is applied to three case studies: the removal of the filibuster for Federal Judicial appointments, the enactment of Reed’s rules in the late 19th Century, and the passage of the 1946 Legislative Reorganization Act. The study analysis of all three cases affirms the conclusion that congressional polarization is tied to majoritarian rule changes.
Description
Citation
Seth Benson “Modeling Majoritarian Congressional Rule Changes In A Polarized Environment”. West Point Journal Of Politics And Security 2, No. 1 (2023).
Publisher
West Point Press