Congress: Keystone of the Washington Establishment, Revised Edition

by Morris P. Fiorina

Book Overview

This highly readable book makes a strong case that a Washington establishment does exist and that members of Congress are responsible for it. Fiorina's description of the self-serving interconnections that have developed between Congress, bureaucrats, and citizens with special interests leads to provocative and disturbing conclusions about the way our political system works. First published in 1977, this greatly enlarged second edition discusses the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300046405
• ISBN13: 9780300046403
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Congress, the Bureaucracy, and the Voter

Fiorina contends that many politicians running for office in Washington campaign against the "Washington establishment." He contends that the Washington establishment - beneficial relations between bureaucrats, congressmen, interest groups, etc. - exists. Fiorina examines how this network how come to be. He contends that much of it stems from Congressmen themselves, although they often fail to realize that they are party of the cause. Fiorina contends that Congress today is composed of career politicians, i.e. those serving long terms. He contends that much of the reason for this stems from the fact that marginal districts - those that are not firmly controlled by one party or another - have declined and we now have many safe seats. Fiorina contends that the decline in safe seats is partly the result of Congressman increasingly concentrating on constituent service. Congressmen in marginal districts tent to spend a lot of time in Washington concentrating on shaping national policy. As such, they are making stands on controversial issues which are quite polarizing. For every position he takes, he may gain one vote but will lose another. This is of importance because the difference between Republicans and Democrats is quite narrow. In safe districts, we are likely to see a congressman who concentrates on constituent service and maintains a nonpartisan stance on most issues. This is especially useful in that as government expands, demands for government service expand. This safe district Congressman helps Republican and Democrat alike which blurs partisan lines, and subsequently he gains more votes. The author takes a rational choice approach to analyzing the Washington establishment. Congressmen want to get reelected. Bureaucrats want to expand their organization, and the voter wants the maximum benefit from government at minimum costs. The congressman is occupied with three main issues: lawmaking, pork-barreling, and constituent service. Law making is dangerous. It forces the Congressman to make a partisan stance. This will alienate some constituents. Pork-barreling is beneficial. The more a congressman can bring back to the district, the more support he will receive and the more credit he can take. Constituent service is crucial. The more people he can help, the more allies he garners. Congressmen help constituents through red tape in working through the ever expanding bureaucracy. The congressmen have some power here as Congress is responsible for budgeting. As such, the bureaucracy wants the congressman to be happy, and helps constituents. This turns into a vote for the Congressman. What we see, then, is much more time spent on getting pork and performing constituent services, and les on law making. The government is expanding, partly as the result of increased budgets established by Congress. As the bureaucracy grows, so do constituent interaction with government. This leads to greater problems between constituent