Congressional BEHAVIOR [AP Gov Review, Unit 2 Topic 3 (2.3)]

Summary

This video delves into the factors affecting Congress’s efficiency in lawmaking, including ideological division, models of representation, and redistricting. It explains how partisan polarization often leads to gridlock and how a unified government can pass legislation more swiftly. The video outlines three models of representation—delegate, trustee, and politico—highlighting their influence on congressional behavior. Additionally, it explores the issues of redistricting and gerrymandering, both partisan and racial, which can skew political power. The content emphasizes how these dynamics shape the legislative process and impact Congress’s ability to fulfill its duties.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ideological division in Congress has become more pronounced over the past 30 years, with Republicans becoming more conservative and Democrats more liberal, leading to increased polarization and gridlock.
• 😀 When one party controls both the House and the Senate, legislation can be passed more quickly, as seen in the early New Deal and Obamacare legislation.
• 😀 Divided government, where different parties control different branches, slows down legislative action, as evidenced by the Supreme Court appointment struggles during Obama’s presidency.
• 😀 The concept of a 'lame-duck' president, where a president who is not seeking re-election has limited influence, is exemplified by Obama’s inability to get his Supreme Court nominee confirmed in 2016 due to divided government.
• 😀 The role of congressional representatives can be seen through three models: the Delegate model (votes according to constituents' wishes), the Trustee model (votes based on personal judgment), and the Politico model (a hybrid approach depending on the situation).
• 😀 Redistricting, which occurs every 10 years based on the census, can significantly impact congressional power dynamics and is a key factor in Congress's effectiveness.
• 😀 The 1962 Supreme Court case *Baker v. Carr* established the 'one-person, one-vote' principle, ensuring that districts are redrawn to ensure equal voting power for all citizens.
• 😀 Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular party or group, often leading to distorted electoral outcomes.
• 😀 Partisan gerrymandering, where district lines are drawn to benefit one political party over another, can lead to unrepresentative electoral results.
• 😀 Racial gerrymandering, as seen in *Shaw v. Reno*, occurs when districts are drawn to create majority racial groups, which the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional, as it could disenfranchise minority voters.

Q & A

How does ideological division between liberals and conservatives affect Congress?

Ideological division makes it harder for members of Congress to compromise, leading to policy gridlock. When both parties become more extreme in their views, negotiations are hindered, making it difficult to pass laws.

What happens when one party controls both the House and Senate?

When one party controls both chambers, legislation is passed more quickly, as the majority party doesn't need to consider the opposing party's ideology. This allows for faster lawmaking aligned with their views.

Can you give an example of when one party controlling both houses led to rapid legislation?

A key example is FDR's New Deal during the 1930s, where Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, allowing them to quickly pass a wide array of reforms in response to the Great Depression.

What is the impact of a divided government on legislative processes?

A divided government slows down legislative processes, as the president and Congress may be controlled by opposing parties, creating gridlock. This often leads to fewer laws being passed and more partisan conflict.

How did the Supreme Court nomination process during Obama’s presidency illustrate the effects of a divided government?

In 2016, President Obama, a Democrat, faced a Republican-controlled Senate that refused to confirm his nominee for the Supreme Court, citing it was improper to appoint a justice in an election year. This example shows how divided government can prevent action.

What is the delegate model of representation?

In the delegate model, representatives vote in line with the wishes of their constituents, even if it conflicts with their personal judgment. This is common in the House, where representatives face elections every two years.

How does the trustee model of representation differ from the delegate model?

In the trustee model, representatives vote based on their own conscience and judgment, even if it goes against the wishes of their constituents. This model reflects the idea that representatives are trusted to make decisions for the greater good.

What is the politico model of representation?

The politico model is a hybrid approach where representatives act like delegates when there is strong constituent opinion on an issue but act like trustees when public pressure is weaker or when the issue requires more individual judgment.

What is redistricting, and why is it important?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing congressional districts every 10 years based on census data. It's important because it ensures districts reflect the most current population numbers, promoting fair representation.

What is gerrymandering, and how does it affect elections?

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of district boundaries to favor one political party over another. It can lead to distorted election results, where the party that controls redistricting can maintain an unfair advantage in future elections.