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Congress and Its Members
The gold standard for Congress courses for over 30 years
Congress and Its Members, Sixteenth Edition, by Roger H. Davidson, Walter J. Oleszek, Frances E. Lee, and Eric Schickler, offers readers current, comprehensive coverage of Congress and the legislative process by examining the tension between Congress as a lawmaking institution and as a collection of politicians constantly seeking re-election. The Sixteenth Edition of this best-selling text considers the 2016 elections and discusses the agenda of the new Congress, White House–Capitol Hill relations, party and committee leadership changes, judicial appointments, and partisan polarization, as well as covering changes to budgeting, campaign finance, lobbying, public attitudes about Congress, reapportionment, rules, and procedures. Always balancing great scholarship with currency, the best-seller features lively case material along with relevant data, charts, exhibits, maps, and photos.
Congress and Its Members, Sixteenth Edition, by Roger H. Davidson, Walter J. Oleszek, Frances E. Lee, and Eric Schickler, offers readers current, comprehensive coverage of Congress and the legislative process by examining the tension between Congress as a lawmaking institution and as a collection of politicians constantly seeking re-election. The Sixteenth Edition of this best-selling text considers the 2016 elections and discusses the agenda of the new Congress, White House–Capitol Hill relations, party and committee leadership changes, judicial appointments, and partisan polarization, as well as covering changes to budgeting, campaign finance, lobbying, public attitudes about Congress, reapportionment, rules, and procedures. Always balancing great scholarship with currency, the best-seller features lively case material along with relevant data, charts, exhibits, maps, and photos.
632 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1996
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117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 9, 2017
Really insightful on how the interworkings of Congress are intertwined and slow moving. Also explains why our political system is as divided as it is today through the lense of political party influence.
Read
July 25, 2019Finished this like in April but forgot to write it here.
October 13, 2018
PLS 305: Congress and the Presidency
This was published in 2017 & already has stuff that is out of date because the Trump admin staff turnover is WILD.
Most detailed textbook I've ever had.
This was published in 2017 & already has stuff that is out of date because the Trump admin staff turnover is WILD.
Most detailed textbook I've ever had.
November 26, 2009
I have ordered this book in its many editions for classes that I have taught on Congress and Legislative Politics. It is one of the best general texts available--and readily accessible to those who are simply interested in the politics of Congress.
One of the key points made by the authors is that there are "two Congresses": One of these is the Congress of "how a bill becomes a law," of the actions and politics characteristic of Capitol Hill. The other is the operation of representatives in their home districts, acting on behalf of their constituents, "the folks back home." The two worlds that members of Congress live in (Washington D. C. and "back home") can produce tensions and dilemmas for members of the legislature. But these conflicts help us to understand the complex nature of Congressional politics and decision-making.
Lawmakers cannot just live in the one Congress or the other. They must navigate and negotiate between the two.
This text covers the full territory, from the history of Congress, to how one ends up getting elected to Congress, to how Congress works and its interactions with other key political actors, to the policy process of which Congress is a key.
For anyone--students or citizens--interested in the nature of Congress, this represents a good starting point.
One of the key points made by the authors is that there are "two Congresses": One of these is the Congress of "how a bill becomes a law," of the actions and politics characteristic of Capitol Hill. The other is the operation of representatives in their home districts, acting on behalf of their constituents, "the folks back home." The two worlds that members of Congress live in (Washington D. C. and "back home") can produce tensions and dilemmas for members of the legislature. But these conflicts help us to understand the complex nature of Congressional politics and decision-making.
Lawmakers cannot just live in the one Congress or the other. They must navigate and negotiate between the two.
This text covers the full territory, from the history of Congress, to how one ends up getting elected to Congress, to how Congress works and its interactions with other key political actors, to the policy process of which Congress is a key.
For anyone--students or citizens--interested in the nature of Congress, this represents a good starting point.
December 16, 2009
I have ordered this book in its many editions for classes that I have taught on Congress and Legislative Politics. It is one of the best general texts available--and readily accessible to those who are simply interested in the politics of Congress.
One of the key points made by the authors is that there are "two Congresses": One of these is the Congress of "how a bill becomes a law," of the actions and politics characteristic of Capitol Hill. The other is the operation of representatives in their home districts, acting on behalf of their constituents, "the folks back home." The two worlds that members of Congress live in (Washington D. C. and "back home") can produce tensions and dilemmas for members of the legislature. But these conflicts help us to understand the complex nature of Congressional politics and decision-making.
Lawmakers cannot just live in the one Congress or the other. They must navigate and negotiate between the two.
This text covers the full territory, from the history of Congress, to how one ends up getting elected to Congress, to how Congress works and its interactions with other key political actors, to the policy process of which Congress is a key.
For anyone--students or citizens--interested in the nature of Congress, this represents a good starting point.
One of the key points made by the authors is that there are "two Congresses": One of these is the Congress of "how a bill becomes a law," of the actions and politics characteristic of Capitol Hill. The other is the operation of representatives in their home districts, acting on behalf of their constituents, "the folks back home." The two worlds that members of Congress live in (Washington D. C. and "back home") can produce tensions and dilemmas for members of the legislature. But these conflicts help us to understand the complex nature of Congressional politics and decision-making.
Lawmakers cannot just live in the one Congress or the other. They must navigate and negotiate between the two.
This text covers the full territory, from the history of Congress, to how one ends up getting elected to Congress, to how Congress works and its interactions with other key political actors, to the policy process of which Congress is a key.
For anyone--students or citizens--interested in the nature of Congress, this represents a good starting point.
September 16, 2016
Very in-depth look at Congress
February 13, 2017
Standard rules and procedures, structure, and day-to-day description of how Congress works. In-depth but dry.
February 26, 2024
2024 Book #10
Congress and Its Members
by Roger H Davidson
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 (2017)
Dejavu! I swear I read an earlier edition of this book in 1993 for an 'Intro to Politics' class. Regardless, it was a good read about a subject I've been teaching for years. A few details, caught my attention, like only 10% of the population votes split ticket. I've been teaching the corresponding fact that 90% of voters are party centered voters, which contributes to polarization. Lots of good, basic information here about election process, styles of representation, differences between the two chambers, the dance of legislation, the incumbency advantage, campaign finance reform, and the sharing of power with the executive branch. I absolutely see congruence between this book and the college board's AP government and politics curriculum.
Congress and Its Members
by Roger H Davidson
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 (2017)
Dejavu! I swear I read an earlier edition of this book in 1993 for an 'Intro to Politics' class. Regardless, it was a good read about a subject I've been teaching for years. A few details, caught my attention, like only 10% of the population votes split ticket. I've been teaching the corresponding fact that 90% of voters are party centered voters, which contributes to polarization. Lots of good, basic information here about election process, styles of representation, differences between the two chambers, the dance of legislation, the incumbency advantage, campaign finance reform, and the sharing of power with the executive branch. I absolutely see congruence between this book and the college board's AP government and politics curriculum.
November 1, 2016
The other book I had to read for my Congress and Legislative power class. Like more college textbooks, some chapters with certain topics were more interesting to learn about than other chapters and topics. I did learn a lot about Congress and it's process.
December 15, 2008
Excellent book for students of political science. Describes Congress from its beginnings to present. Also, organizational structures of Congress; parties, committees, etc.
March 1, 2013
Read for a grad school lobbying course. Actually a good, conversational read if you want to learn about Congress.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews