Sharing the Wealth

Damon M. Cann

Description

Winner of the 2009 Richard F. Fenno Jr. Prize of the Legislative Studies Section of the American Political Science Association

While students of American politics are accustomed to thinking of members of Congress as recipients of campaign contributions, Sharing the Wealth shows that incumbents are increasingly active as contributors to their parties and other political candidates. As this provocative study shows, member contributions have grown exponentially in recent years to finance the fierce biannual battle for majority control of Congress. Utilizing both quantitative methods and case studies, Damon M. Cann examines arrangements designed to advance ambitions of individuals while ultimately strengthening parties, and also explores several important consequences of this growing phenomenon. More than a campaign finance study, Sharing the Wealth offers a comprehensive examination of member-to-member and member-to-party contributions, and makes the connection between member contributions and the growing strength of political parties in Congress.
List of Illustrations
Preface

1. Introduction

2. Candidates as Contributors?

3. The Exchange Theory of Party Influence

4. Leadership Investment in Legislative Loyalty in the U.S. House

5. Member Contributions and the Politics of House Committee Chair Selection

6. Member Contributions and Control of the House Appropriations Committee

7. Member Contributions and the Politics of Party Leadership Selection

8. Conclusion

References
Notes
Tables
Figures

Sujets

• USA
• United States of America
• Central government
• Central
• États-Unis
• National

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 08 juillet 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791478103
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 4 Mo

Extrait

Sharing the Wealth

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Sharing the Wealth

Member Contributions and the Exchange Theory of Party Influence in the U.S. House of Representatives

Damon M. Cann

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2008 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu

Production by Ryan Morris Marketing by Michael Campochiaro

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Cann, Damon M., 1976– Sharing the wealth : member contributions and the exchange theory of party influence in the U.S. House of Representatives / Damon M. Cann. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 9780791474938 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Campaign funds—United States. 2. United States. Congress. House. 3. Legislators—United States. 4. Political parties— United States. 5. Power (Social sciences)—United States. 6. United States—Politics and government. I. Title.

JK1021.C36 2008 328.73'074—dc22

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2007048684

For Clair, Cambria, and Ian

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List of Illustrations Preface

C HAPTER 1: C HAPTER 2:

C HAPTER 3: C HAPTER 4:

C HAPTER 5:

C HAPTER 6:

C HAPTER 7:

C HAPTER 8:

Notes References Index

Introduction

Contents

Candidates as Contributors?

The Exchange Theory of Party Influence

Leadership Investment in Legislative Loyalty in the U.S. House

Member Contributions and the Politics of House Committee Chair Selection Member Contributions and Control of the House Appropriations Committee Member Contributions and the Politics of Party Leadership Selection Conclusion

vii

ix xi

1 7 25

37

51

77

87 97

103 109 119

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Illustrations

Figures

F IGURE PACs Sponsored byof Leadership 2.1: Number Members of the House of Representatives, 1978–2006 F IGURE and Senate MembertoMember Contributions,2.2: House 1978–2004

F IGURE 4.1: Party Unity Increase from Leadership Contributions F IGURE of Uncompensated Seniority Violations5.1: Proportion in Committee Chair Appointments, 1889–1957 F IGURE Seniority Violationsof Uncompensated 5.2: Proportion in Committee Chair Appointments, 1947–2007 F IGURE 5.3: Predicted Probabilities for Winning the International Relations Committee Chair

T ABLE 2.1:

T ABLE 2.2:

T ABLE 2.3:

Tables

Percentage of MembertoMember Funds by Incumbency Status

Percentage of MajorParty Candidates Receiving Member Contributions and Average Size of Contribution by Incumbency Status

Percentage of MajorParty Candidates Receiving Member Contributions by Incumbency Status and Electoral Competitiveness

ix

9

10 45

53

54

69

12

13

1

4