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As the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the federal government becomes increasingly hostile, more Americans are wondering whether national politics can be described as gridlock or good government. This provocative and insightful collection of original essays provides answers by exploring the complicated nature and multiple implications of divided government in the United States. The distinguished contributors analyze the consequences of the 1992 and 1994 elections and argue that discussions of divided government are too narrowly focused on the issue of partisan division of governmental institutions. Divided Government convincingly shows how political scientists have downplayed the significance of Constitutional rules, legislative policy disaggregation, and the decline of party organization. They conclude that divided government, in its broader institutional context, will continue regardless of which parties control the different branches.
List of contents
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction: Divided Government Past and Present Chapter 3 Divided Government in Historical Perspective, 1789-1996 Chapter 4 The Causes and Consequences of Divided Government: Lessons of 1992-1994 Chapter 5 Divided Government and the 1994 Elections Chapter 6 The Road to Divided Government: Paved without Intention Chapter 7 It's the Constitution, Stupid! Congress, the President, Divided Government, and Poliymaking Chapter 8 The New Deal, the Modern Presidency, and Divided Government, Chapter 9 Unity Versus Divisions: The Effect of Divided Government on Policy Development Chapter 10 Doing One's Job: A Constitutional Principle and a Political Strategy for an Uncertain Future Chapter 11 Bibliography Chapter 12 Index
About the author
By Peter F. Galderisi - Contributions by Joseph Doherty; Morris P. Fiorina; Roberta Q. Herzberg; Gary C. Jacobson; Peter McNamara; Sidney M. Milkis; John R. Petrocik; Leroy N. Rieselbach and Joel H. Silbey
Summary
With the branches of the federal government becoming increasingly hostile, more Americans wonder whether national politics can be described as gridlock or good government. These essays provide answers by exploring the complicated nature and multiple implications of divided government in the US.
