Summary: Changes in Congress 1947 - 2002
The Disappearance of the Marginal Districts: 1960 - 1980
1972 Mayhew Graph
1960 Mayhew Graph
Percent Marginal Districts: 1946 - 1998
Was it the Redistricting in the early 1960s? Fiorina (1977), No.
Was it the Increase in the Incumbency Advantage? Fiorina (1977), Yes.
House Incumbency Advantage
Senate Incumbency Advantage
Why did the Incumbency Advantage Increase? Fiorina (1977), the dramatic increase of the "Casework Style" of Representation
Congressional Staff
Committee Staff
The Growth of Government Increases the Opportunities for Members of Congress to Provide Assistance to Constituents
Pages in the Federal Register: 1936-2001
Why Did the System Appear to Change Again After 1980?
Percent Marginal Districts: 1946 - 1998
Local-National Effects Midterm House Elections
Local-National Effects Presidential Year House Elections
Fiorina (2001): Everyone Started Using the Casework Style! A High Level of Constituency Service Became the Norm and was
Expected
by the Voters!
Congressional Staff
Committee Staff
Fiorina (2001): Incumbents Have a Money Advantage
Campaign Expenditures Congressional Elections
Soft Money Congressional Elections
Fiorina (2001): Politicians in General Care Much More About Policy Than They Used To
Polarization
Cox and Katz (2002): The Redistricting
Did
Do it!