Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism

ISBN-13: 9780521839853 / Angielski / Twarda / 2004 / 288 str.

Thad Kousser

Opis

This study of the effects that term limit laws (restrictions on the number of years for which legislators can serve) have had on politics and policy in American states, combines interviews of capitol insiders with archival records and statistical analysis. The final conclusion--that term limits have had an adverse effect on the professional behavior of legislative members--bears relevance to the current debate over the wisdom of establishing term limits.

Recenzje

"A thorough analysis of the impact term limits have had on the functions of state legislatures, Kousser's book is exceptionally well written." The Law and Politics Book Review

Spis treści

Part I. The Many Designs of American State Legislature: 1. Introduction; 2. Narratives of change in six states; Part II. How Design Affects a Legislature's Form: 3. The stability of leadership: how long do 'First Among Equals' last?; 4. The role of committees: independent actors or agents?; 5. Patterns in legislative achievement; Part III. How Design Affects a Legislature's Function: 6. Bargaining between the legislative and executive branches; 7. The production of policy innovation; 8. Conclusions; 9. Epilogue: adaptations to term limits.