Ambition, competition, and electoral reform
Subtitle: the politics of congressional elections across time
By: Jamie L. Carson and Jason M. Roberts
Series: Legislative politics and policy making
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Ann Arbor
Language: eng
Number of pages: 171
ISBN-13: 9780472118649; 9780472028955
Subjects: United States; United States. Congress. House; Elections
Description: "In Ambition, Competition, and Electoral Reform, Jamie L. Carson and Jason M. Roberts presents an original study of U.S. congressional elections and electoral institutions for 1872-1944 from a contemporary political science perspective. Using data on late nineteenth and early twentieth century congressional elections, the authors test the applicability in a historical contexts of modern political science theories, assess the effects of institutional reforms, and identify the factors that shape the competitiveness of elections. They present several key findings: the strategic politicians theory is applicable in an era without candidate-centered campaigns; there was an incumbency advantage prior to the full development of candidate-centered campaigns; institutional reforms have had a significant effects on elections; and the degree of electoral competition frequently correlates with elected officials' responsiveness to citizens"--Dust cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 157-166) and index.