Actors, Athletes, and Astronauts: Political Amateurs in the United States Congress (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

The U.S. Congress is typically seen as an institution filled with career politicians who have been seasoned by experience in lower levels of political office. In fact, political amateurs have comprised roughly one quarter of the House of Representatives since 1930. The effect of amateurs' inexperience on their political careers, roles in Congress, and impact on the political system has never been analyzed in detail. Written in a lucid style accessible to the nonspecialist, David T. Canon's Actors, Athletes, and Astronauts is a definitive study of political amateurs in elections and in Congress. Canon examines the political conditions that prompt amateurs to run for office, why they win or lose, and whether elected amateurs behave differently from their experienced counterparts. Challenging previous work which presumed stable career structures and progressively ambitious candidates, his study reveals that amateurs are disproportionately elected in periods of high political opportunity, such as the 1930s for Democrats and 1980s for Republicans. Canon's detailed findings call for significant revision of our prevailing understanding of ambition theory and disarm monolithic interpretations of political amateurs. His unique typology of amateurism differentiates among policy-oriented, "hopeless," or ambitious amateurs. The latter resemble their professional counterparts; "hopeless" amateurs are swept into office by strong partisan motivations and decision-making styles of each type vary, affecting their degree of success, but each type of amateur provides a necessary electoral balance by defeating entrenched incumbents rarely challenged by more experienced politicians.

Politics & Social Sciences

Canon, David T.

Politics & Government

University of Chicago Press

Race, Redistricting, and Representation: The Unintended Consequences of Black Majority Districts (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

Since the creation of minority-dominated congressional districts eight years ago, the Supreme Court has condemned the move as akin to "political apartheid," while many African-American leaders argue that such districts are required for authentic representation. In the most comprehensive treatment of the subject to date, David Canon shows that the unintended consequences of black majority districts actually contradict the common wisdom that whites will not be adequately represented in these areas. Not only do black candidates need white votes to win, but this crucial "swing" vote often decides the race. And, once elected, even the black members who appeal primarily to black voters usually do a better job than white members of walking the racial tightrope, balancing the needs of their diverse constituents. Ultimately, Canon contends, minority districting is good for the country as a whole. These districts not only give African Americans a greater voice in the political process, they promote a politics of commonality—a biracial politics—rather than a politics of difference.

Social Sciences

The Dysfunctional Congress?: The Individual Roots Of An Institutional Dilemma

This book introduces students to an argument using rational choice theories to explain what happens when individuals come together to make collective decisions, emphasising on the collective dilemma concept that provides a framework for thinking about how reform proposals would affect Congress.

Mayer, Kenneth R.

Routledge

American Politics Today (Third Core Edition)

American Politics Today helps students understand the debates and controversies that they encounter in the news by emphasizing conflict and compromise as natural parts of politics. New book features--including highly visual "How It Works" infographics--show how the American political process resolves conflicts.

American Politics Today

Bianco, William T.

W.W.Norton&Company

All the tools students need to understand American politics―with 9 chapters on Texas government and politics.American Politics Today helps students understand the debates and controversies that they encounter in the news by emphasizing conflict and compromise as natural parts of politics. New book features – organized around student learning outcomes – offer an effective way to engage students in U.S. and Texas politics.

Champagne, Anthony

Harpham, Edward J.

All the tools students need to understand American politics?in a briefer text.American Politics Today helps students understand the debates and controversies that they encounter in the news by emphasizing conflict and compromise as natural parts of politics. The Essentials Edition includes all the learning tools from the full book?including highly visual ?How It Works? infographics and an approach organized around Chapter Goals?in a text that is 30% shorter.

Politics is about conflict. Are your students cynical about conflict in American politics? Do they believe politicians generally fight for the sake of fighting, or to gain short-term advantage? Do they believe policy makers should simply set aside their differences and “listen to what the people want”? Bianco and Canon show students that conflict―and the compromise that is necessary to resolve it―is a normal, healthy part of the process that makes American democracy work.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Canon, David T.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Canon, David T.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Canon, David T.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Actors, Athletes, and Astronauts: Political Amateurs in the United States Congress (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

Actors, Athletes, and Astronauts: Political Amateurs in the United States Congress (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

Race, Redistricting, and Representation: The Unintended Consequences of Black Majority Districts (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

The Dysfunctional Congress?: The Individual Roots Of An Institutional Dilemma

The Dysfunctional Congress?: The Individual Roots Of An Institutional Dilemma

American Politics Today

American Politics Today

American Politics Today

American Politics Today

American Politics Today