2.3 Congressional Behavior
Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government
Congressional behavior and governing effectiveness are influenced by
Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to gridlock or create the need for negotiation and compromise
Gerrymandering, redistricting, and unequal representation of constituencies have been partially addressed by the Supreme Court decision in Baker v. Carr (1962), which opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting and started the “one person, one vote” doctrine, and the no-racial-gerrymandering decision in Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Elections that have led to a divided government, including partisan votes against presidential initiatives and congressional refusal to confirm appointments of “lame-duck” presidents of the opposite party
Different role conceptions of “trustee,” “delegate,” and “politico” as related to constituent accountability in each chamber
REQUIRED SUPREME COURT CASES Baker v. Carr (1962) Shaw v. Reno (1993