Indecision in American Legislatures

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government
Cover of the book Indecision in American Legislatures by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden, University of Michigan Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden ISBN: 9780472124268
Publisher: University of Michigan Press Publication: August 1, 2018
Imprint: University of Michigan Press Language: English
Author: Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
ISBN: 9780472124268
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Publication: August 1, 2018
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Language: English

Lawmaking provides many opportunities for proposals to be altered, amended, tabled, or stopped completely. The ideal legislator should assess evidence, update his or her beliefs with new information, and sometimes be willing to change course. In practice, however, lawmakers face criticism from the media, the public, and their colleagues for “flip-flopping.” Legislators may also only appear to change positions in some cases as a means of voting strategically.

This book presents a systematic examination of legislative indecision in American politics. This might occur via “waffling”—where a legislator cosponsors a bill, then votes against it at roll call. Or it might occur when a legislator votes one way on a bill, then switches her vote to the other side. In Indecision in American Legislatures, Jeffrey J. Harden and Justin H. Kirkland develop a theoretical framework to explain indecision itself, as well as the public’s attitudes toward indecision. They test their expectations with data sources from American state legislatures, the U.S. Congress, and survey questions administered to American citizens. Understanding legislative indecision from both the legislator and citizen perspectives is important for discussions about the quality of representation in American politics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Lawmaking provides many opportunities for proposals to be altered, amended, tabled, or stopped completely. The ideal legislator should assess evidence, update his or her beliefs with new information, and sometimes be willing to change course. In practice, however, lawmakers face criticism from the media, the public, and their colleagues for “flip-flopping.” Legislators may also only appear to change positions in some cases as a means of voting strategically.

This book presents a systematic examination of legislative indecision in American politics. This might occur via “waffling”—where a legislator cosponsors a bill, then votes against it at roll call. Or it might occur when a legislator votes one way on a bill, then switches her vote to the other side. In Indecision in American Legislatures, Jeffrey J. Harden and Justin H. Kirkland develop a theoretical framework to explain indecision itself, as well as the public’s attitudes toward indecision. They test their expectations with data sources from American state legislatures, the U.S. Congress, and survey questions administered to American citizens. Understanding legislative indecision from both the legislator and citizen perspectives is important for discussions about the quality of representation in American politics.

More books from University of Michigan Press

Cover of the book Justice and Injustice in Law and Legal Theory by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Oral Arguments and Coalition Formation on the U.S. Supreme Court by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book The Learned Collector by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Campaign Reform by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Shakin' All Over by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book China and the West by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book The Playing Fields of Eton by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book The Future of NATO by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Legal Rights by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book In the Thick of the Fight by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book The Forests of Michigan, Revised Ed. by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Securing the Sacred by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book International Capital Flows in Calm and Turbulent Times by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Why They Die by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Volatile States by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy