Congress: Keystone of the Washington Establishment

by Morris P. Fiorina

This highly readable book makes a strong case that a Washington establishment does exist and that members of Congress are responsible for it. Fiorina’s description of the self-serving interconnections that have developed between Congress, bureaucrats, and citizens with special interests leads to provocative and disturbing conclusions about the way our political system works. First published in 1977, this greatly enlarged second edition discusses the new developments that have occurred over the past twelve years, provides supportive data through the 1988 election, and reveals Fiorina’s current thoughts on Congress and American politics.
Reviews of the first
“A stimulating indictment of the role of Congress in perpetuating a triangle of constituents want benefits at someone else’s expense; Congressmen, seeking reelection, try to oblige; bureaucrats want growth for their agencies and accordingly provide favors for Congressmen. The general welfare is ill-served.”― Foreign Affairs
“A fascinating book . . . on the factors which keep members of Congress in office . . . . A tract that no student of Congress can afford to neglect.”―Eric M. Uslaner, American Political Science Review
“Written with insight, originality, and verve.”― Washington Monthly

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on why we have less competition in Congressional elections, leading to incumbents triumphing at such a high percentage. Fiorina notes at the outset (Page 3): "The Congress is the key to the Washington Establishment. The Congress created the establishment, sustains it, and most likely will continue to sustain and even expand it."

The essence of this? Fiorina wonders why marginal districts--where the two parties compete on even terms--for the House of Representatives have declined so precipitously over time, starting in the 1960s and 1970s. His sense is that members of Congress came to learn to value of "errand running," taking care of constituents' concerns. Elected officials aggressively helped constituents when they ran into problems with bureaucracy and government.

The end result? Elected officials have no desire to curb bureaucracy. Problems created by bureaucracy provide opportunities for members of Congress to help people entangled in red tape. Voters have a friend in high places and have little incentive to change things.

A rather cynical analysis, but one that is thought provoking.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a political science class in college. Probably dated now, but well, Congress is still jacking things up so maybe not.