POLSCI 318 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Tammy Baldwin, Franking, Expansionism
17 May 2018
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Congress and the President
9.21.16 Reading Notes: Congress and its Members (Ch 5: Being There: Hill Styles and Home Styles)
Hill Styles
Who are the Legislators?
Members of Congress are typically very wealthy, educated, and come from prestigious
backgrounds
Question of representation
o Representation in Congress – bringing together a diverse group of people to deliberate on
public policy, but in reality, that diversity is limited
Descriptive representation: whether a legislature’s membership reflects the diversity of
backgrounds and interests in society
Substantive representation: whether legislators consciously act as agents for constituents and
their interests – an activity that can be performed regardless of their personal backgrounds and
group memberships
The two concepts of representation are intertwined
Representatives’ racial, ethnic, and gender identities shape their priorities, positions, and
legislative styles
Whether constituents and representatives share a common identity affects the trust and patterns
of contact between them
Education and Occupation
University degrees and most have graduate degrees
Many have law degrees
o Legal training – verbalization, advocacy, and negotiation
o Number of lawyers have declined
Career politicians, veterans
Blue-collar jobs are underrepresented in Congress
Race
African Americans make up 13.2% of the population but account for 10.1% of House and 2% of
Senate
Other minorities are also underrepresented – Latinos and Asian and Pacific Islanders
Representatives of the same race as more like to hold representational bonds with their same-race
constituents
Research: descriptive representation yields substantive benefits for minority communities
o Ex: Black legislators more active on issues important to black Americans
Gender
Women are underrepresented in Congress
In the recent years, the number of women in Congress has increased, and so has attention on
women’s issues
o Such as gender discrimination, women’s health, and sexual assault in the military
Women are viewed as less competent on military and security issues
Sexual Orientation
1998: Tammy Baldwin was the first lesbian representative whose sexual orientation was known
before her election
Religion
98% of Congress have a religious affiliation
20% of Americans are unaffiliated
Age and Tenure
Tenure and age has risen
Average age for Congress is between 55 to 65, average tenure is about a decade
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Document Summary
9. 21. 16 reading notes: congress and its members (ch 5: being there: hill styles and home styles) Members of congress are typically very wealthy, educated, and come from prestigious backgrounds backgrounds and interests in society. Question of representation public policy, but in reality, that diversity is limited. Substantive representation: whether legislators consciously act as agents for constituents and: representation in congress bringing together a diverse group of people to deliberate on. Descriptive representation: whether a legislature"s membership reflects the diversity of their interests an activity that can be performed regardless of their personal backgrounds and. Representatives" racial, ethnic, and gender identities shape their priorities, positions, and. Whether constituents and representatives share a common identity affects the trust and patterns. The two concepts of representation are intertwined group memberships legislative styles of contact between them. Education and occupation: number of lawyers have declined. University degrees and most have graduate degrees. Many have law degrees: legal training verbalization, advocacy, and negotiation.
