PARTY LEADERSHIP in the U.S. Congress

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PARTY LEADERSHIPin the U.S. Congress
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Leadership A CollectiveAction Problem

• Members could free ride and then just claim
  credit!
• Party leadership can give rewards/incentives
  and punishment - to overcome this problem
• REWARDS!
• Punishment

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U.S. Congress, Party Balance, and Party Leadership
HOUSE of Reps 233 D 202 R U.S. SENATE 51
D 49 R context of party control influences
leadership style! leaders elected by secret
ballot in the party caucus D, conference
R leadership battles are common!
ideological divide
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Speaker of the House
procedural powers points of order, committee
referral, name members to conference
committee, maintain the decorum of the
House political powers set the House policy
agenda, control selection of Rules Committee,
party rewards (or punishment), coordinate
w/ the Senate, media spokesperson these
powers have varied greatly over time! strong
speakers to weak speakers
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History of Speakership

• post 1910 Cannon revolt
• strong committee chairs conservative Southern
  D
• reigned in chairs w/ secret ballot (seniority
  demoted)
• subcommittee chairs dominate in 1970s-early 1980s

• Recent revival of the strong Speaker
• ONeill D
• Jim Wright D
• Tom Foley D
• Newt Gingrich R!
• Dennis Hastert R
• Nancy Pelosi D

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Party Agendas (1994, 2006)
Two of the most stunning electoral victories of
the last 50 years were the Republican
Revolution of 1994 and the Democrats tidal wave
of congressional victories in 2006. In-depth
research The Contract With America
1994 Newt Gingrichs rise/fall
1994-1998 New Directions for America
2006 Blue Dog Democrats key to 2006
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Theories of Party Leadership
Question How powerful/influential are party
leaders? If it depends, what does it depend
on? PERSONALITY models Conditional
Party Government power depends on (1)
homogeneity of party members ideology (2)
intensity of conflict with opposing party!!
Pivotal Voter Model does NOT depend so much
on members up to 218th vote, but on 218!!!