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 Ideology and the Theory of Political Choice by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Narrative Prosthesis by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Legislative Entrepreneurship in the U.S. House of Representatives by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book The Floor in Congressional Life by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Where Women Run by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Dark Matter by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Intercollegiate Athletics and the American University by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Ann Arbor Observed by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Arthur Miller's Global Theater by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book The Michigan Roadside Naturalist by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Altering Party Systems by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book State Trading in the Twenty-First Century by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Secret Witness by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Full Metal Jhacket by Justin H. Kirkland, Jeffrey J. Harden
Cover of the book Information and Elections 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