The Present and Future of US Politics: Is Congress really 'overwhelmed'?
- Date & time
- –
- Speaker
- Richard Johnson
- Host
- Rothermere American Institute (Department)
- Series
- Rothermere American Institute
- Location
- Rothermere American Institute - Main Seminar Room, Main Seminar Room, Rothermere American Institute, 1A South Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3UB, United Kingdom
- Organisation
- Oxford
Topics
About this talk
Political scientists have recently argued that Congress is 'overwhelmed', and outmatched compared to the substantial resources of the executive branch and outside political interests. Others describe Congress as 'stuck', with individual members feeling unable to bring about their desired policy changes. Yet, compared with national legislators, individual members of Congress have greater resources at their disposal. They have sizeable personal offices, committees staffed with experts of their choosing, and access to skilled, non-partisan research services. Members are also able to recruit highly motivated, public-spirited Americans, who are prepared to take a 'patriotic discount' in their salary in order for the prestige of working on the Hill. Members, even those with no formal leadership position, can develop reputations for policy expertise and contribute meaningfully to national debates. Based on interviews with congressional staffers, as well as with parliamentary staff in other rich democracies, this talk asks whether a problem with Congress is, in fact, its lack of capacity?
Add to Calendar