• What it will take
• Bringing down the thought barriers
• Manipulating the mindset
• Rigging the rules
• Democracy's calling
• Listen up, America! North Carolina has a story to tell
• The thrill of democracy
• Dare for democracy.

• The ins versus the outs
• A protracted era of partisan parity
• The logic of confrontation
• Emerging strategies of confrontation, 1976-94
• The institutionalization of partisan communications
• The rise of the partisan message vote
• Governing versus messaging: the party politics of the debt limit / coauthored with Timothy L. Cordova
• Party competition and conflict in state legislatures / coauthored with Kelsey L. Hinchliffe
• The perpetual campaign and the US constitutional system.

As Democrats and Republicans continue to vie for political advantage, Congress rema ins paralyzed by partisan conflict. That the last two decades have seen some of the least productive Congresses in recent history is usually explained by the growing ideological gulf between the parties, but this explanation misses another fundamental factor influencing the dynamic. In contrast to politics through most of the twentieth century, the contemporary Democratic and Republican parties compete for control of Congress at relative parity, and this has dramatically changed the parties' incentives and strategies in ways that have driven the contentious partisanship characteristic of contemporary American politics. With Insecure Majorities, Frances E. Lee offers a controversial new perspective on the rise of congressional party conflict, showing how the shift in competitive circumstances has had a profound impact on how Democrats and Republicans interact. For nearly half a century, Democrats were the majority party, usually maintaining control of the presidency, the House, and the Senate. Republicans did not stand much chance of winning majority status, and Democrats could not conceive of losing it. Under such uncompetitive conditions, scant collective action was exerted by either party toward building or preserving a majority. Beginning in the 1980s, that changed, and most elections since have offered the prospect of a change of party control. Lee shows, through an impressive range of interviews and analysis, how competition for control of the government drives members of both parties to participate in actions that promote their own party's image and undercut that of the opposition, including the perpetual hunt for issues that can score political points by putting the opposing party on the wrong side of public opinion. More often than not, this strategy stands in the way of productive bipartisan cooperation and it is also unlikely to change as long as control of the government remains within reach for both parties.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Ties that bind: untangling the roots of congressional partisanship
• Before 'ideology': a conceptual history
• Sources of party conflict: ideological disagreement and teamsmanship
• Dividers, not uniters: presidential leadership and legislative partisanship
• The partisan politics of good government
• Procedural partisanship: intra-party dealmaking and partisan bloc voting
• Agreeing to disagree, or disagreeing to agree: agenda content and rising
• Partisanship
• Beyond ideology: returning to politics
• Appendix A. Coding the presidential agenda status of roll-call votes
• Appendix B. Does party polarization on an issue topic increase the likelihood that presidents will include the issue on their agenda?
• Appendix C. Estimates of multinomial logit model of partisan voting patterns on Senate roll-call votes, 1981-2004.

The congressional agenda includes many issues about which liberals and conservatives generally agree. Even over these matters, though, Democratic and Republican senators tend to fight with each other. What explains this discord? "Beyond Ideology" argues that many partisan battles are rooted in competition for power rather than disagreement over the rightful role of government. The first book to systematically distinguish Senate disputes centering on ideological questions from the large proportion of them that do not, this volume foregrounds the role of power struggle in partisan conflict. Presidential leadership, for example, inherently polarizes legislators who can influence public opinion of the president and his party by how they handle his agenda. Senators also exploit good government measures and floor debate to embarrass opponents and burnish their own party's image - even when the issues involved are broadly supported or lowstakes. Moreover, Frances E. Lee contends, the congressional agenda itself amplifies conflict by increasingly focusing on issues that reliably differentiate the parties. With the new president pledging to stem the tide of partisan polarization, "Beyond Ideology" provides a timely taxonomy of exactly what stands in his way.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Ties that bind: untangling the roots of congressional partisanship
• Before 'ideology': a conceptual history
• Sources of party conflict: ideological disagreement and teamsmanship
• Dividers, not uniters: presidential leadership and legislative partisanship
• The partisan politics of good government
• Procedural partisanship: intra-party dealmaking and partisan bloc voting
• Agreeing to disagree, or disagreeing to agree: agenda content and rising
• Partisanship
• Beyond ideology: returning to politics
• Appendix A. Coding the presidential agenda status of roll-call votes
• Appendix B. Does party polarization on an issue topic increase the likelihood that presidents will include the issue on their agenda?
• Appendix C. Estimates of multinomial logit model of partisan voting patterns on Senate roll-call votes, 1981-2004.

The congressional agenda, Frances Lee contends, includes many issues about which liberals and conservatives generally agree. Even over these matters, though, Democratic and Republican senators tend to fight with each other. What explains this discord? "Beyond Ideology" argues that many partisan battles are rooted in competition for power rather than disagreement over the rightful role of government. aThe first book to systematically distinguish Senate disputes centering on ideological questions from the large proportion of them that do not, this volume foregrounds the role of power struggle in partisan conflict. Presidential leadership, for example, inherently polarizes legislators who can influence public opinion of the president and his party by how they handle his agenda. Senators also exploit good government measures and floor debate to embarrass opponents and burnish their own partyOCOs imageOCoeven when the issues involved are broadly supported or low-stakes. Moreover, Lee contends, the congressional agenda itself amplifies conflict by increasingly focusing on issues that reliably differentiate the parties. With the new president pledging to stem the tide of partisan polarization, "Beyond Ideology" provides a timely taxonomy of exactly what stands in his way.".
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Ties that bind: untangling the roots of congressional partisanship
• Before 'ideology': a conceptual history
• Sources of party conflict: ideological disagreement and teamsmanship
• Dividers, not uniters: presidential leadership and legislative partisanship
• The partisan politics of good government
• Procedural partisanship: intra-party dealmaking and partisan bloc voting
• Agreeing to disagree, or disagreeing to agree: agenda content and rising
• Partisanship
• Beyond ideology: returning to politics
• Appendix A. Coding the presidential agenda status of roll-call votes
• Appendix B. Does party polarization on an issue topic increase the likelihood that presidents will include the issue on their agenda?
• Appendix C. Estimates of multinomial logit model of partisan voting patterns on Senate roll-call votes, 1981-2004.

The congressional agenda, Frances Lee contends, includes many issues about which liberals and conservatives generally agree. Even over these matters, though, Democratic and Republican senators tend to fight with each other. What explains this discord? "Beyond Ideology" argues that many partisan battles are rooted in competition for power rather than disagreement over the rightful role of government. aThe first book to systematically distinguish Senate disputes centering on ideological questions from the large proportion of them that do not, this volume foregrounds the role of power struggle in partisan conflict. Presidential leadership, for example, inherently polarizes legislators who can influence public opinion of the president and his party by how they handle his agenda. Senators also exploit good government measures and floor debate to embarrass opponents and burnish their own partyOCOs imageOCoeven when the issues involved are broadly supported or low-stakes. Moreover, Lee contends, the congressional agenda itself amplifies conflict by increasingly focusing on issues that reliably differentiate the parties. With the new president pledging to stem the tide of partisan polarization, "Beyond Ideology" provides a timely taxonomy of exactly what stands in his way.".
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Ties that bind : untangling the roots of congressional partisanship
• Before "ideology" : a conceptual history
• Sources of party conflict : ideological disagreement and teamsmanship
• Dividers, not uniters : presidential leadership and legislative partisanship
• The partisan politics of good government
• Procedural partisanship : intra-party dealmaking and partisan bloc voting
• Agreeing to disagree, or disagreeing to agree : agenda content and rising partisanship
• Beyond ideology : returning to politics.

The congressional agenda includes many issues about which liberals and conservatives generally agree. Even over these matters, though, Democratic and Republican senators tend to fight with each other. What explains this discord? "Beyond Ideology" argues that many partisan battles are rooted in competition for power rather than disagreement over the rightful role of government. The first book to systematically distinguish Senate disputes centering on ideological questions from the large proportion of them that do not, this volume foregrounds the role of power struggle in partisan conflict. Presidential leadership, for example, inherently polarizes legislators who can influence public opinion of the president and his party by how they handle his agenda. Senators also exploit good government measures and floor debate to embarrass opponents and burnish their own party's image - even when the issues involved are broadly supported or lowstakes. Moreover, Frances E. Lee contends, the congressional agenda itself amplifies conflict by increasingly focusing on issues that reliably differentiate the parties. With the new president pledging to stem the tide of partisan polarization, "Beyond Ideology" provides a timely taxonomy of exactly what stands in his way.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• The party logic of voter demobilization
• Race and party competition in post-World War II America
• Black voting power in the cities
• Party resistance to national voter registration reform
• Beyond race? : the parties search for a "third way"
• Keeping down the vote : the contemporary revival of vote suppression tactics.

• Acknowledgements-- Opening Note-- Clarity--
• 1. The Straightjacket: peeling away the layers-- elections plus a market... that's democracy?-- lizzie's lessons-- thin democracy's pitfalls-- deeper dangers-- humility and hope--
• 2. New Eyes: goodness of or in human nature?-- an ecology of democracy, five qualities-- a premise of plenty, a spiral of hope--
• 3. What Democracy Feels Like: nine dimensions, some glimpses-- why now? four revolutions-- Creativity--
• 4. Power Invisible: one choice we don't have-- mirrors in our brain-- power isn't a four-letter word-- relational power's under-appreciated sources-- drops count--
• 5. The Art Of Power: democracy's arts-- the power of simply listening-- conflict as creative-- kids learn conflict is okay--
• 6. Talking Democracy: globalization or global corporate power?-- free market-free trade or fair market-fair trade?-- regulations or standards?-- consumers or buyers?-- Courage--
• 7. Seize the Moment: a downward spin-- a rude shock--
• 8. When Fear Means Go: fear as pure energy-- fear and conflict-- as it is-- old thoughts, new thoughts-- inner applause--
• 9. Sanity in Motion: claiming our sanity-- protection-- a cautionary tale, the dangers of good intentions-- on issues versus entry points-- an internal checklist-- bold humility-- knowing-- An Invitation-- Questions to Spark Talk and Action-- Recommended Reading-- Endnotes-- Index-- Books from the Small Planet Institute-- Ideas-- Idea
• 1: Thin Democracy vs. Living Democracy-- Idea
• 2: We All Have Public Lives-- Idea
• 3: Rethinking Power-- Idea
• 4: Ten Arts of Democracy-- Idea
• 5: Toward a Language of Democracy-- Idea
• 6: The Inner World of Living Democracy-- Idea
• 7: Seven Ways to Rethink Fear-- Idea
• 8: Living Democracy's Checklist.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

"Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity & Courage in a World Gone Mad" is a little book with a big message. Frances Moore Lappe - author of fifteen books, including three-million copy bestseller "Diet for a Small Planet" - distills her world-spanning experience and wisdom in a conversational yet hard-hitting style. She affirms readers' basic sanity - their intuitive knowledge that it is possible to stop grasping at straws and grasp the real roots of today's crises, from hunger and poverty to climate change and terrorism. Because we are creatures of the mind, says Lappe, it is the power of 'frame' - our core assumptions about how the world works - that determines outcomes.She pinpoints the dominant failing frame now driving our planet toward disaster. By interweaving fresh insights, startling facts, and stirring vignettes of ordinary people pursuing creative solutions to our most pressing global problems, Lappe uncovers a new, empowering 'frame' through which real solutions are emerging worldwide. She writes: 'My book's intent is to enable us to see what is happening all around us but is still invisible to most of us. It is about people in all walks of life who are penetrating the spiral of despair and reversing it with new ideas, ingenious innovation - and courage'.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Acknowledgments. The Path. PART ONE: Living on Democracy's Edge. Our journey to the edge and the forces making possible an invisible revolution of hope.
• 1. The Frame.
• 2. The Long Arc.
• 3. Power Is Not a Four-Letter Word. PART TWO: Democracy Growing Up. Outgrowing four beliefs that stymie us and discovering that power, even corporate power, isn't so stuck after all.
• 4. Our Coat.
• 5. The Elephant. PART THREE: Democracy as a Verb. It's not what we have, it's what we do. Americans seize the rewards of self-direction.
• 6. Attention.
• 7. Action.
• 8. Choice.
• 9. Voice. PART FOUR: Democracy in Our Bones. Americans create a culture of empowered, connected people.
• 10. Learning.
• 11. Security.
• 12. The Invitation. Two Frames for Democracy. Toward a Language of Democracy. Notes. Entry Points for Living Democracy. The Author. Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Three out of five Americans, both Republicans and Democrats, feel our country is headed in the wrong direction. America is at the edge, a critical place at which we can either renew and revitalize or give in and lose that most precious American ideal democracy and along with it the freedom, fairness, and opportunities it assures. "Democracy's Edge" is a rousing battle cry that we can and must act now. From Jefferson to Eisenhower, presidents from both parties have warned us of the danger of letting a closed, narrow group of business and government officials concentrate power over our lives. Yet today, a small and unrepresentative group of people is making vital decisions for all of us. But this crisis is only a symptom, Lappe argues. It's a symptom of thin democracy, something done to us or for us, not by or with us. Such democracy is always at risk of being stolen by private interests or extremist groups, left and right. But there is a solution. The answer, says Lappe, is Living Democracy, a powerful yet often invisible citizens' revolution surging in communities across America. It's not random, disjointed activism but the emergence of a new historical stage of democracy in which Americans realize that democracy isn't something we have but something we do. Either we live it or lose it, says Lappe.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

We take it for granted that every state has two representatives in the United States Senate. Apply the "one person, one vote" standard, however, and the Senate is the most malapportioned legislature in the democratic world. But does it matter that California's 32 million people have the same number of Senate votes as Wyoming's 480,000? Frances Lee and Bruce Oppenheimer systematically show that the Senate's unique apportionment scheme profoundly shapes legislation and representation. The size of a state's population affects the senator-constituent relationship, fund-raising and elections, strategic behaviour within the Senate, and, ultimately, policy decisions. They also show that less populous states consistently receive more federal funding than states with more people. In sum, Lee and Oppenheimer reveal that Senate apportionment leaves no aspect of the institution untouched. This book raises questions about one of the key institutions of American government and should be of interest to anyone concerned with issues of representation.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

During the Cold War, both sides looked to govern artistic output. This is the story of the CIA's strategy to insinuate itself in every aspect of cultural life, in order to rid the "Free World" of Communist propaganda. Prominent figures such as Arthur Koestler and George Orwell became involved.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• PART I: INTRODUCTION
• 1. Studying the Congress
• 2. Behavioral Approaches to the Study of Congress
• 3. Formal Approaches to the Study of Congress
• 4. Measuring Legislative Preferences
• 5. Touching the Bones: Interviewing and Direct Observational Studies of Congress
• 6. Historical Approaches to the Study of Congress: Towards a Congressional Vantage on American Political Development
• PART II: ELECTIONS
• 7. House and Senate Elections
• 8. Congressional Campaigns
• 9. Congressional Redistricting
• 10. Campaign Finance in Congressional Elections
• PART III: REPRESENTATION AND RESPONSIVENESS
• 11. Descriptive Representation: Understanding the Impact of Identity on Substantive Representation of Group Interests
• 12. Bicameral Representation
• 13. Dyadic Representation
• 14. Pork Barrel Politics
• 15. Public Opinion and Congressional Policy
• 16. Public Evaluations of Congress
• PART IV: CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROCEDURES
• 17. Party Leadership
• 18. Congressional Committees
• 19. The Supermajority Senate
• 20. Managing Plenary Time in Democratic Legislatures: The U.S. Congress in Comparative Context
• 21. Congressional Reforms
• 22. The Congressional Budget Process
• PART V: POLITICS AND POLICYMAKING
• 23. Party Polarization
• 24. Deliberation in Congress
• 25. Roll Call Votes
• 26. Lobbying and Interest Group Advocacy
• 27. The Ties that Bind: Coalitions in Congress
• 28. Legislative Productivity and Gridlock
• PART VI: CONGRESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• 29. The Development of Congressional Elections
• 30. The Evolution of Party Leadership
• 31. The Development of the Committee System
• 32. Majority Rule and Minority Rights
• 33. Sectionalism and Congressional Development
• PART VII: CONGRESS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM
• 34. Congress & the Executive Branch: Delegation and Presidential Dominance
• 35. Congressional War Powers
• 36. The Amorphous Relationship Between Congress and the Courts
• PART VIII: REFLECTIONS
• 37. Reflections on the Study of Congress, 1969-2009
• 38. Theorizing about Congress.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

No legislature in the world has a greater influence over its nation's public affairs than the US Congress. The Congress's centrality in the US system of government has placed research on Congress at the heart of scholarship on American politics. Generations of American government scholars working in a wide range of methodological traditions have focused their analysis on understanding Congress, both as a lawmaking and a representative institution. The purpose of this volume is to take stock of this impressive and diverse literature, identifying areas of accomplishment and promising directions for future work. The editors have commissioned 37 chapters by leading scholars in the field, each chapter critically engages the scholarship focusing on a particular aspect of congressional politics, including the institution's responsiveness to the American public, its procedures and capacities for policymaking, its internal procedures and development, relationships between the branches of government, and the scholarly methodologies for approaching these topics. The Handbook also includes chapters addressing timely questions, including partisan polarization, congressional war powers, and the supermajoritarian procedures of the contemporary Senate. Beyond simply bringing readers up to speed on the current state of research, the volume offers critical assessments of how each literature has progressed - or failed to progress - in recent decades. The chapters identify the major questions posed by each line of research and assess the degree to which the answers developed in the literature are persuasive. The goal is not simply to tell us where we have been as a field, but to set an agenda for research on Congress for the next decade. The Oxford Handbooks of American Politics are a set of reference books offering authoritative and engaging critical overviews of the state of scholarship on American politics. Each volume focuses on a particular aspect of the field. The project is under the General Editorship of George C. Edwards III, and distinguished specialists in their respective fields edit each volume. The Handbooks aim not just to report on the discipline, but also to shape it as scholars critically assess the scholarship on a topic and propose directions in which it needs to move. The series is an indispensable reference for anyone working in American politics. General Editor for The Oxford Handbooks of American Politics: George C. Edwards III.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)