AMERICAN CONGRESS ES.SAY

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All writers on Congress agree that representatives are mainly motivated by the wish to stay in office. This may be the root of Congress’s difficulties, but it could be argued that there is nothing wrong with this state of affairs. Insofar as the desire for reelection makes members responsive to the desires of their constituencies, it is democracy in action. Members of Congress are largely elected to represent the express wishes of their districts; the more scared these members are of being unseated, the more democratically they are likely to behave. Using the text and the assigned readings from Chapter 6 of KJK, discuss the following issues: What difficulties are created for Congress by the fact that its members often behave in their own self interest (getting reelected)? Can you think of further problems that stem from the congressional electoral connection? What, on the other hand, are the benefits of this system of representation?

 

Sample Solution

Difficulties

  • Short-term focus: Members of Congress may focus on short-term goals, such as getting reelected, rather than long-term goals, such as addressing important national problems. This can lead to policy decisions that are not in the best interests of the country as a whole.
  • Logrolling and pork-barrel spending: Members of Congress may engage in logrolling, which is the practice of trading votes on legislation in order to get what they want. This can lead to the passage of legislation that is not in the best interests of the country as a whole. Members of Congress may also engage in pork-barrel spending, which is the practice of directing federal money to projects in their own districts or states, regardless of whether the projects are necessary or cost-effective. This can lead to waste and inefficiency in government spending.
  • Inability to compromise: Members of Congress may be unwilling to compromise with members of the other party, even when it is in the best interests of the country. This can lead to gridlock in Congress and prevent the passage of important legislation.
  • Unrepresentativeness: Members of Congress may not be representative of the people they represent. This can happen when members of Congress are elected by a small number of voters in a safe district. It can also happen when members of Congress are wealthy and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary people.

Benefits

  • Responsiveness to constituents: Members of Congress are motivated to be responsive to the concerns of their constituents because they want to be reelected. This can be a good thing, as it can lead to Congress passing legislation that is in the interests of the people.
  • Accountability: Members of Congress are accountable to their constituents, who can vote them out of office if they are not satisfied with their performance. This can help to ensure that members of Congress act in the best interests of the people.
  • Diversity: The electoral connection can lead to a more diverse Congress, as it can help to elect members of Congress from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. This can be a good thing, as it can lead to Congress making better decisions that reflect the needs of all Americans.

Conclusion

The electoral connection is a double-edged sword. It can lead to problems, such as short-termism, logrolling, and pork-barrel spending. However, it can also lead to benefits, such as responsiveness to constituents, accountability, and diversity. Ultimately, the impact of the electoral connection on Congress depends on a number of factors, including the political climate, the specific members of Congress involved, and the specific issues at stake.

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