How Congress Evolves: Social Bases of Institutional Change

By Nelson W. Polsby

Book Overview

In this greatly entertaining tale of one of our most august institutions, Nelson Polsby argues that among other things, from the 50's to the 90's, Congress evolved. In short, Polsby argues that air conditioning altered the demography of the southern states, which in turn changed the political parties of the South, which transformed the composition and in due course the performance of the US House of Representatives. This evolutionary process led to the House's liberalization and later to its transformation into an arena of sharp partisanship, visible among both Democrats and Republicans. How Congress Evolves breathes new life into the dusty corners of institutional history, and offers a unique explanation for important transformations in the congressional environment.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195182960
• ISBN13: 9780195182965
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

REVIEW

From the Publisher: "Nelson Polsby has been studying, reading about and hanging around the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 40 years. In "How Congress Evolves", he provides the definitive--and often witty-account of how the House has changed over time, and why." Michael Barone, coauthor, "The Almanac of American Politics"

REVIEW

From the Publisher: "Nelson Polsby always offers a fresh and insightful perspective on Congress. Few observers pull together the historical perspective, original analysis, and trenchant observations as well as Nelson Polsby does." Congressman Lamar Smith (R. Texas)

REVIEW

"Combining historical breadth and intimate detail, Nelson Polsby explains how and why the U.S. Congress came to change both its ideological makeup and its internal decision-making processes at midcentury. An important book by a gifted storyteller, "How Congress Evolves" is a treatise in its sweep and a memoir in its depth. No other political scientist could have delivered this combination of strengths." Richard Fenno, author of "Home Style: House Members in their Districts".

REVIEW

From the Publisher:"How Congress Evolves" is Nelson Polsby's magnum opus. Polsby is an institution among congressional scholars and this book will be a classic work on Congress along with the writings of Woodrow Wilson and Richard Fenno. Polsby's wonderful observations from his interviews and deft use of data about stability and change in Congress combined with his humor make the book hard to put down once you start reading it. --James A. Thurber, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University