POLI 100B: The U.S. Congress

Key concepts related to the U.S. Congress, focusing on party systems, committee structures, incumbency, representation styles, and voting behavior.

Party System

A stable period of partisan competition where the form of conflict is consistent, characterized by major cleavages in political affiliation.

Committee System

A structure that allows Congress to manage its workload more efficiently by dividing tasks among subgroups.

Incumbency Advantage

The advantages incumbents have over challengers, including name recognition, casework, and a proven track record.

Progressive Ambition

The tendency of politicians to seek higher office through a typical career path that builds nested constituencies.

Social Pressure in Voting

The influence of social contexts and norms on individuals’ decisions to vote, often enhancing turnout.

Representational Styles

Different approaches to representation: promissory, anticipatory, gyroscopic, and surrogate.

Fenno’s Home Style

The way members of Congress present themselves to their constituents, which impacts their level of support and trust.

The Paradox of Voting

The phenomenon where individual rationales for voting conflict with collective behavior, leading to low turnout despite high stakes.

Reed Rules

Rules established to strengthen the Speaker of the House by limiting minority obstruction in legislative processes.

Cannon Revolt

A series of actions in 1910 that aimed to reduce the power of the Speaker in the House of Representatives, shifting committee powers.