Congress and Democracy

By David J. Vogler

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871873788
• ISBN13: 9780871873781
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Cq Pr
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Understanding the legislative branch

In Congress and Democracy authors David Vogler and Sidney Waldman study the workings of this institrution, focusing on the two common assumptions in its deliberations. The first, adversary democracy, is that congressmen serve their constituents, and hence are dutybound to protect their interests. To do this, they engage in debates based on the merits, with the majority then making decisions. However, debate can be so fractious and uncivil that deliberation is prolonged; also sometimes so many interests need to be catered to that final bills may be worthless. On the other hand, the second assumption, unitary democracy, is that congressmen serve the nation, therefore a consensus (or large majority) is built to make decisions. The problem, though, is who can define the national interests, and when is it superceded by those of the states. With examples the authors assert that Congress is neither adversarial or unitarian. They also attempt to explain its role in foreign and monetary policy. Chapters 4 and 5 are most enlightening, shedding light on the House rules committee. This is a well researched work, make more educative by quotes from legislators, those active particants in the political goings on. Now, as when it was written, this text is essential for understanding Congress.