The Impact of Congressional Reforms in the Institution and the Electorate

Identifier

1356

Author

Emily Suzanne Cummings

Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Political Science

Committee Chair

Eric Groenendyk

Committee Member

Matthias Kaelberer

Committee Member

Sharon Stanley

Abstract

Institutional and electoral reforms have changed the way in which Congress works and the electorate votes. Institutional changes include polarization of parties and the use of restrictive rules to pass legislation. Electoral reforms include primary reform and the institution of the invisible primary. Schattschneider (1975) suggested that the scope of conflict be expanded to include the public more fully. Using the Affordable Care Act as a case study, insitutitional reform has complicated the legislative process and clouded the public's view. Electoral reforms have not allowed the public increased control over legislation or election outcomes. From restrictive rules and interwoven connections to the invisible primary, elites retain control in the post-reform era. Parties are strong and clearly distinct, yet special interests dominate party behavior.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Recommended Citation

Cummings, Emily Suzanne, "The Impact of Congressional Reforms in the Institution and the Electorate" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1142.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/1142