Congress: The First Branch
Benjamin Ginsberg and Kathryn Wagner Hill
Abstract
This accessible overview of the US Congress's past and present, introduces students to the country's most democratic institution. The book surveys Congressional elections, the internal structure of Congress, the legislative process, Congress and the president, and Congress and the courts. It offers a fresh approach to the First Branch grounded in a historical, positive frame. The book argues that many of the characteristics of Congress with which Americans are so impatient stem directly from the institution's democratic nature. It is slow to act, cumbersome in its procedures, and contentious i ... More
This accessible overview of the US Congress's past and present, introduces students to the country's most democratic institution. The book surveys Congressional elections, the internal structure of Congress, the legislative process, Congress and the president, and Congress and the courts. It offers a fresh approach to the First Branch grounded in a historical, positive frame. The book argues that many of the characteristics of Congress with which Americans are so impatient stem directly from the institution's democratic nature. It is slow to act, cumbersome in its procedures, and contentious in its discussions precisely because it is a democratic decision-making body. But complaints are also that it is seen as polarized and corrupt, serving lobbyists, special interests, and campaign contributors rather than the American people. The book concludes by considering whether these charges amount to a serious indictment of Congress, its members, and its procedures.
Keywords:
US Congress,
democratic institution,
Congressional elections,
legislative process,
US President
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2019 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780300220537 |
| Published to Yale Scholarship Online: January 2020 |
DOI:10.12987/yale/9780300220537.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Benjamin Ginsberg, author
Johns Hopkins University
Kathryn Wagner Hill, author
Johns Hopkins University
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