Description
Book SynopsisDespite heightened partisanship in the US Congress and constituencies split along ideological lines, congressional representatives buck their parties and seldom do precisely what voters ask. This book challenges standard explanations of legislative preferences to emphasize the role that personal influences play in representatives' voting behavior.
Trade Review"Burden has written an important book. He argues that the policy preferences of members of Congress are not necessarily determined by the preferences of their constituents and a member's desire to be reelected, but also by their personal beliefs and experiences."--S.Q. Kelly, Choice
Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables vii Acknowledgments ix Chapter One: Personal Roots of Representation 1 Chapter Two: A Theory of Legislative Preferences 14 Chapter Three: Smoking and Tobacco Regulation 54 Chapter Four: Vouchers and School Choice 88 Chapter Five: Religion and Morality 112 Chapter Six: Conclusion 137 References 151 Index 161
