The Constitution of California expects legislators, which includes both State’s senate and House of Representatives, to influence agency decision making, to build political support for increases or decreases in agency funding to lay the political foundation for new programs and policies, and to capture media attention and enhance the power of the California State Congress members. However, not all legislators are able to fulfill their duties and comply with the state’s expectations. Indeed, their efficacy to serve California varies on the length of their experience, familiarity to government system, and commitment to public service. Evaluating their performances for the past ten years, legislators can be distinguished by their competence and efficiency. In this paper, I argue that to be an outstanding legislator, it is necessary for politicians to satisfy both constituents’ and partisan’s interests, and to have strong ability to facilitate bargaining and compromise within the state congress.
Members of the California State Legislature spend most of their time politically cultivating their districts and the state as they do legislating. To increase efficiency, most legislators direct their attention towards their home constituents. In the book titled Politics In America, Thomas Dye and Bartholomew Sparrow call this legislative tactic as “home style,” which is defined as legislator’s activities that primarily focuses at the constituents’ problems and interests. I believe that creating relationship with district constituents is the most essential factor to become a competent legislator. For instance, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has improved San Francisco for 25 years and consistently satisfying the needs of her constituents. In C...
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...terests. Indeed, leadership positions and seniority are strong predictors of legislative activity and bill success.
In conclusion, some politicians fail to become effective member of the legislature due to the variance of experiences, position, partisanship, and relationship with its constituents. It may take time to accumulate experiences especially now that California has declared to be a termed-limit state. However, this should not be a hindrance to future lawmakers. As long as they have strong conviction to public service and build strong connections with their respective constituents, I believe that this will lead them to become a successful legislature. There is not exact formula to become an effective leader, but there is an easier way to increase the efficiency, which is to become passionate in political education and the method of learning by-doing.
The first activity that was presented by Mayhew is due to the tremendous advertising that the members undertake. Through advertising, a congressman is able to build a favorable reputation for himself which will then attract voters. Although the incumbent’s image can have “little or no issue content,” it is still important to gain credibility from the voters so reelection of the specific incumbent can be achieved. Different ways that congressman advertise are through frequent visits to their district, mailings or letters sent to homes, and “nonpolitical speeches to home audiences.” With
What motivates members of Congress to act the way they do? Mayhew would argue in Congress: The Electoral Connection that members of Congress are ‘’single-minded re-election seekers’’ and that re-election is their one and only goal. Whilst the assumption that all members of Congress are ‘‘single-minded re-election seekers’’ does go some distance in analysing the motives behind members of Congress, the reading fails to take into account the other key goals of members of Congress. Other goals include good policy and future career positions. It is important to remember that the achievement of both re-election and other goals are not exclusive, members of Congress often are motivated by more than one goal.
Richard F. Fenno believes that congressmen struggle to find a balance between a Washington career and a constituency career. Fenno obtained various experiences from several members of congress who he accompanied as they traveled about their districts. Through this journey he gained knowledge about the various home styles of the members of congress. Homestyle should always be consistent because an inconsistent home style will not produce a good image to constituents. According to Fenno, a home style has three components: allocation of personal resources and those of his office, presentation of self to others, and explanation of Washington activities.
Davidson, Roger H., Walter J. Oleszek, and Frances E. Lee. Congress and Its Members. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2009. Print.
In light of the recent Senate scandal, the public’s attention has been directed to the government’s credibility and its members’ discipline again. Mike Duffy’s 90,000 dollars scandal has put the Canadian government’s party discipline into the spotlight. While it is well-known amongst general public, there are other similar incentives and disincentives shared between the Members of the Parliament (MPs) and senators in keeping them disciplined, as well as some different ones that set them apart. In this essay, I am going to analyze the main levers of party discipline in the House of Commons and the Senate for their effectiveness. By comparing the similarities and differences, I will explain for the motivations behind the Senate, even if they have seemingly fewer incentives than the MPs, such as free of worrying about being re-elected.
University of Texas at Austin. Texas Politics, The legislative Branch. Austin, 2nd Edition-Revision 94 2009, Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services.
Mr. Smith's values make him unique and give him the ability to be noticed within the legislature. The manner in which the United States legislature is currently set up allows someone similar to Mr. Smith to thrive in society...
Contrasts in the lawmaking methodology utilized as a part of the House and Senate reflect the distinctive size of the two chambers and individual terms of its parts. In the House, the dominant part gathering is inflexibly in control, stacking advisory groups with lion 's share party parts, and utilizing principles to seek after enactment supported by its parts. In the Senate, singular parts are better ready to hold up the procedure, which prompts lower similarity costs, however higher exchange costs. The complication of the lawmaking procedure gives rivals different chances to murder a bill, making a solid predisposition for the present state of affairs.
Political gridlock and dysfunction is a central aspect of studying Congress because it determines a huge part about how they function and their general effectiveness. When it comes to the political landscape in the United States, law-making and legislation ultimately comes down to what the Senate and the House of Representatives vote on and how they vote. Gridlock has been studied for years because of how it has changed the political landscape essentially from the beginning. The Jacksonian Era in the mid 1800’s shifted the way that political parties operated and from then on a two party system has been a critical part of American politics. The winner-take-all format of elections in the United States, along with the increasing importance of
Politics is the heart of America. To enact change in a major area of the nation, the politics must be discussed to no end and one must know how to speak the words of the...
National Conference of State Legislatures. Wendy Underhill , 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
The single-member district election system is the most common and best-known electoral system currently in use in America. It is used to elect the U.S. House Representatives, as well as many state and local legislatures. Under single member district systems, an area is divided into a number of geographically defined voting districts, each represented by a single elected official. Voters can only vote for their district’s representative, with the individual receiving the most votes winning election. This method of electing representatives is better than any alternative solution in various ways. Four compelling reasons to support the single-member district election system include the fact that single-member districts give each voter a single, easily identifiable district member; the way single-member district voting helps protect against overreaching party influence; that single-member districts ensure geographic representation; and finally, that single-member districts are the best way to maximize representatives’ accountability.
“California is accustomed to watching movie stars and entertainers plunge into politics – Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood, the late Sonny Bono” (Sanchez). Californians love to watch celebrities take up roles in politics. In fact, they are so sick and tired of politicians making the same promises over and over again that they prefer to have people who don’t specify their goals right out. So in this situation, Arnold is the celebrity, presenting himself as the hero, who promises to relieve California of its debts. ‘He’s something different. He’s not a politician (Sanchez),’ stated Lori Lateer of Pasadena, 49, a vice president of a manufacturing firm. Isn’t that what everyone wants to hear? He’s got the style, he’s got public appeal, and he most definitely has the money to go along with them.
Light, Paul C., and Christine L. Nemacheck. "Chapter 7 Congress." Government by the People, Brief 2012 Election Edition, Books a La Carte New Mypoliscilab With Etext Access Card Package. By David B. Magleby. 2012 Election Edition ed. N.p.: Pearson College Div, 2013. N. pag. Print.
Impact On Legislator Perception” by Hedlund was informative and edifying. The researcher set out to assess the effectiveness of this theory and of management science approach in reviewing the influence of a legislature’s leadership on individual members. There findings were interesting and intriguing, the findings indicated that the path-goal theory could be appropriately applied to the legislative setting with encouraging results. (1) The concept of the leader consideration, leader initiating structure and role ambiguity. (2) The leader must be specific as it relates to progress indicators; with understanding to modify when needed.