Congressmen's Voting Decisions

by John W. Kingdon

This classic study of voting decisions in the U.S. House of Representatives, based on extensive interviewing and observation, combines theory and substance, generalization and detailed description. With a new introduction, this influential and innovative book remains the best statement of the ways in which legislators reach decisions. The work contributes in critical ways to scholars' and students' understanding of such larger features of legislative...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0472064010
• ISBN13: 9780472064014
• Release Date: March 1989
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Modeling Decision Making

Kingdon attempts to explain why congressmen vote the way they do. He divides his explanation into two parts, (1) the role of various actors - constituents, fellow congressmen, party leaders, interest groups, etc. - on influencing the congressmen's voting decisions, and (2) more general aspects of decision making, i.e. information flow, the actual decision making process, the role of ideology and policy preference, etc. In regards to the role of actor, Kingdon finds that fellow congressmen have the most influence on decision making followed closely by the constituency. Fellow congressmen are the source of lots of information and as such can simply the decision making process. First, congressmen will pick a fellow congressman who is an expert on a particular policy area, and is also ideologically similar to the congressman. Similarly, a congressman may side with a more senior member, as they tend to have more experience on issues. All of these illustrate that relying on fellow congressman can decrease information costs and make the decision making process more simplified. Constituent influence plays a close second to fellow congressmen. The member is reliant on continued constituency support for reelection. However, the member also is influenced by the intensity of the wishes of the constituency. He is most likely to vote along with the wishes of the constituency the more intensely they hold their position. On issues that the constituency doesn't feel strongly, the member may vote against his district. Most of the time, however, the member votes with his or her district. They do so for four reasons. First, the congressman is recruited from the district. His views will not be so different. Second, the congressman will have to explain his voting decisions if they diverge from his constituents. Third, he receives a good deal of direct communication from the district regarding ideological direction, and he usually follows this direction. Lastly, and most importantly, electoral concerns drive compliance with constituent wishes. Kingdon also discusses some actors who possess significantly less influence. He begins with party leadership and committee members. Kingdon contends that they have less influence than commonly thought. He contends that party voting is less a result of leadership and committee chairs, and more a result of the fact that the constituencies of the parties differ. The constituencies will support policies most similar to one party or another and the congressmen will vote accordingly. Interest groups also have less power than commonly though. Congressmen may listen to interest groups to gain information, or procure assistance drafting legislation, but usually only if (a) the interest groups is closely tied with the constituency, (b) the interest group is ideologically similar to the congress may, or (c) the issue is highly salient. The executive branch also has less power than some would contend. If the p