He is the author of eight influential books on american politics, and is widely considered one of the leading scholars on the american congress. Mayhew uses pieces from anthony downss and richard fennos works to build his own argument and present his own rational choice model for members of congress. Mayhew born may 18, 1937 is a political scientist and sterling professor in the political science department at yale university. Mayhew argues that the principal motivation of legislators is reelection and that the pursuit of this goal affects the way they behave and the way that they make public policy. Mayhew argues that congressmen are motivated by reelection. The electoral connection after 25 years created date. Mayhew contends that once in office, legislators pursue the actions that put them in the best position for reelection.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read congress. Its short under 200 pages, and though in some ways it has become dated, it still goes a long way toward explaining the primary goals and activities of congress people. Congressional appropriations and the electoral connection authors. Mayhew 1 the electoral connection and the congress david. Mayhew is sterling professor of political science emeritus at yale university and a specialist in american politics. If it is assumed that members of congress mcs are singleminded seekers of reelection, then we would predict that mcs would devote substantial resources to three basic activities. Winner of the washington monthly political book award for 1974any short list of major analyses of congress must of necessity include david mayhew s congress. View mayhew from p sc 35 at the university of oklahoma. Nov 17, 2009 despite these potential problems and complications, congress, according to david mayhew, still performs remarkably well in representing the interests of its constituents and members. Mayhew has been a member of the yale faculty since 1968.
What are the three primary activities members of congress undertake. The electoral connection 1974, 2004, divided we govern 1991, 2005, americas congress 2000, electoral realignments 2002, parties and policies 2008. Mayhew argues that the principal motivation of legislators is reelection and that the pursuit of this goal affects the. The electoral connection was an important book when it appeared in 1974, and it remains one 25 years later. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mayhews focus on advertising and credit claiming has led to a good deal of research on. When i discovered it in trevors bookstore in the fall of 1974, i was a 27yearold newly minted ph. Its short under 200 pages, and though in some ways it has become dated. Oct 24, 1974 mayhew s book on congress is considered a classic of political science literature. Cowinner of washington monthly annual political book award for congress. Mayhew, sterling professor of political science at yale university, is the author of many books, including electoral realignments and americas.
The electoral connection examines the activities of the individuals and the specifics of the institutions of the us house of representatives, in an effort to determine the primary goals of house members elected to serve america and their constituents in the house. It is a pleasure to have this agedinthe cask classic reissued, and the foreword by arnold and preface by mayhew are a valuable bonus. An evolutionary theory of economic change richard r. The electoral connection read the excerpt from david mayhews book congress. Your total response should be one to two pages, not per question. The electoral connection is a book by david mayhew, first published in 1974, that applies rational choice theory to the actions of american congressmen.
Congress the electoral connection second edition david r. David mayhews 1974 thesis on the electoral connection and its impact on legislative behavior is the theoretical foundation for research on the modern u. Choose all of the following categories that david mayhew described as part of congress s electoral connection. Mayhews focus on advertising and credit claiming has led to a good deal of research on these activities, and those who study congress have learned much from both mayhew himself and the scholars he. The electoral connection examines the activities of the individuals and the specifics of the institutions of the us house of representatives, in. Mayhew sterling professor of political science and affiliated with institution for social and policystudies isps. Mayhew argues that congress members are single minded reelection seekers, he builds his argument on the notion that members are only driven by the idea of reelection and that reelection must be reached in order to achieve any other goals. Proin gravida dolor sit amet lacus accumsan et viverra justo commodo.
If you have access to a journal via a society or association membership, please browse to your society journal, select an article to view, and follow the instructions in this box. The institutional consequences of individual motivations. From there, we discuss the four conditions necessary for an electoral connection in congresswhich we identify as ambition, autonomy, responsiveness, and accountability. After you read the article, write a paper in response to the following questions. The electoral connection, provides the theoretical framework to explain how congress operates. In this second edition to a book that has now achieved canonical status, david r. Senators united states congress university press v. Electoral incentives in congress university of michigan. After you read the article, write a one to two page response to the following questions. A practical guide to preparing and delivering testimony before congress and congressional hearings for agencies, assoc theta clear congress congress lectures london congress on nuclear radiation, control. The electoral connection after 25 years volume 34 issue 2 patricia a.
It is a pleasure to have this agedin the cask classic reissued, and the foreword by arnold and preface by mayhew are a valuable bonus. Choose all of the following categories that david mayhew described as part of congresss electoral connection. Mayhew expands on this point by first describing the electoral activities that members partake in, specifically adv. Actions related to reelection arguments advertising credit claiming position taking mayhew closes. Please read the excerpt from david mayhews book congress. Mayhew contends that once in office, legislators pursue the actions that put them in the best. Fred greenstein mayhews book on congress seems to be the best thing on the subject.
Despite these potential problems and complications, congress, according to david mayhew, still performs remarkably well in representing the interests of its constituents and members. One measure of the importance of a work is the research that it stimulates. Any short list of major analyses of congress must of necessity include david mayhews congress. Douglas arnold new haven and london, yale university press foreword by r. David mayhew congress the electoral connection pdf may not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. David mayhew is sterling professor of political science emeritus. Dubin, david grether, richard mckelvey, doug rivers, and quong vuong provided. Congressional investigations and the electoral connection. In his seminal book on congress, david mayhew 1974, 2004 treats legislators as if they. Winner of the washington monthly political book award for 1974any short list of major analyses of congress must of necessity include david mayhews congress. He has authored works on congress, political parties, elections, and policymaking that include congress. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Excerpt whether they are safe or marginal, cautious or audacious, congressmen must constantly engage in activities related to reelection. Access to society journal content varies across our titles.
Congress the electoral connection flashcards quizlet. The electoral connection david mayhew in this second edition to a book that has now achieved canonical status, david r. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Mayhews book on congress is considered a classic of political science literature. Nov 10, 2004 any short list of major analyses of congress must of necessity include david mayhews congress. Congressional investigations and the electoral connection april18th,2015.
In the next section, we unpack the electoral connection in the context of the contemporary era. Mayhew 1 the electoral connection and the congress david r. What are the three primary activities members of congress undertake to secure reelection. Rances vargas the legislative process fall 2012 professor depalo congress. Electoral connection is a book by david mayhew, first published in 1974, that applies rational choice theory to the actions of american congressmen. Mayhews focus on advertising and credit claiming has led to a good deal of research on these. The electoral connection department of political science. Congress congress the electoral connection second edition david r. Rohde, michigan state university one of the most influential and enduring books on congress in the last three decades was david mayhews congress. There will be differences in emphasis, but all members share. The electoral connection, second edition testifying before congress. The electoral connection examines the activities of the individuals and the specifics of the institutions of the us house of representatives, in an effort to determine the primary goals of house members elected to. Congressional investigations and the electoral connection april18th,2015 kenneth lowandey justin peckz. To interpret mayhews arguments through knowledge gained from working in the district office of congressman jim langevin this semester.
Electoral incentives in congress university of michigan press. Mayhew how to study legislative behavior is a question that does not yield. Aside from yale, where he began teaching in 1968, he has taught at umassamherst, amherst. Douglas arnold t hirty years ago this short book revolutionized the study of congress. Mayhew, sterling professor of political science at yale university, is the author of many books, including divided we govern, americas congress, and electoral realignments, all published by yale university press. The actions, processes, policies, and effectiveness of the congress are critically examined in light of the ongoing political power struggle and the congressmans preoccupation with reelection. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.