Partisan Gerrymandering and the Construction of American Democracy

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Elections
Cover of the book Partisan Gerrymandering and the Construction of American Democracy by Erik Engstrom, University of Michigan Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Erik Engstrom ISBN: 9780472029525
Publisher: University of Michigan Press Publication: September 30, 2013
Imprint: University of Michigan Press Language: English
Author: Erik Engstrom
ISBN: 9780472029525
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Publication: September 30, 2013
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Language: English

Erik J. Engstrom offers a historical perspective on the effects of gerrymandering on elections and party control of the U.S. national legislature. Aside from the requirements that districts be continuous and, after 1842, that each select only one representative, there were few restrictions on congressional districting. Unrestrained, state legislators drew and redrew districts to suit their own partisan agendas. With the rise of the “one-person, one-vote” doctrine and the implementation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, however, redistricting became subject to court oversight.

Engstrom evaluates the abundant cross-sectional and temporal variation in redistricting plans and their electoral results from all the states, from 1789 through the 1960s, to identify the causes and consequences of partisan redistricting. His analysis reveals that districting practices across states and over time systematically affected the competitiveness of congressional elections, shaped the partisan composition of congressional delegations, and, on occasion, determined party control of the House of Representatives.

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

Erik J. Engstrom offers a historical perspective on the effects of gerrymandering on elections and party control of the U.S. national legislature. Aside from the requirements that districts be continuous and, after 1842, that each select only one representative, there were few restrictions on congressional districting. Unrestrained, state legislators drew and redrew districts to suit their own partisan agendas. With the rise of the “one-person, one-vote” doctrine and the implementation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, however, redistricting became subject to court oversight.

Engstrom evaluates the abundant cross-sectional and temporal variation in redistricting plans and their electoral results from all the states, from 1789 through the 1960s, to identify the causes and consequences of partisan redistricting. His analysis reveals that districting practices across states and over time systematically affected the competitiveness of congressional elections, shaped the partisan composition of congressional delegations, and, on occasion, determined party control of the House of Representatives.

More books from University of Michigan Press

Cover of the book Arthur Miller's America by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Finding Voice by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Cutting Performances by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book The Influence of Campaign Contributions in State Legislatures by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Coalition Politics and Cabinet Decision Making by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Franz Kafka by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Hot Coal, Cold Steel by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Federalism by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Medieval Women and Their Objects by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Archiving Sovereignty by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Is Social Security Broke? by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book No Boundaries by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Ancient Law, Ancient Society by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Mixed-Member Electoral Systems in Constitutional Context by Erik Engstrom
Cover of the book Unsettled History by Erik Engstrom
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