Great Theatre
The American Congress in the 1990s

Congressional life and behaviour is dissected and placed in the broader context of changes in Congress in the 1990s.

Herbert F. Weisberg (Edited by), Samuel C. Patterson (Edited by)

9780521585187, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 May 1998

336 pages, 15 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.6 cm, 0.641 kg

"For those seeking an interesting, diverse, and thoughtful collection of academic writings on contemporary (pre-impeachment) Congress, Great Theatre is a worthwhile resource and a viable addition to any medium-sized or larger academic library collection." Cassandra Hartnett, Journal of Government Information

The 104th Congress, the first in four decades to be Republican-controlled, may prove to have ushered in an era of party dominance by congressional Republicans, or to be a transitory aberration. Either way, the 104th is a watershed in congressional history. Using the theatre metaphor to characterize the actions of Congress and to help make the institution more understandable, Congressional life and behaviour is dissected and placed in the broader context of changes in Congress in the 1990s. The contributors evaluate the way members of Congress play to the media and the larger audience, the electorate; analyze leadership roles in a cast of 535 'leading players'; evaluate the committee systems as 'little theatre'; and analyze relations among the various branches of government. Herbert Weisberg and Samuel Patterson conclude the presentation by reminding us that in Congress, 'the play's the thing'.

Figures and tables
Preface
Contributors
Part I. Introduction: 1. Theatre in the round: congress in action Herbert F. Weisberg and Samuel C. Patterson
Part II. Congress and its Audience
2. Representation in congress: line drawing and minorities Kenny J. Whitby and Franklin D. Gilliam Jr
3. Unsympathetic audience: citizens' evaluations of congress Samuel C. Patterson and David C. Kimball
4. Back from intermission: the 1994 elections and the return to divided government Dean Lacy
Part III. Congress at Play: 5. Directing 535 leading men and leading ladies: party leadership in the modern congress Paul S. Herrnson
6. Little theatre: committees in congress Tim Groseclose and David C. King
7. The unfolding drama: party and ideology in the 104th house Barry C. Burden and Aage R. Clausen
Part IV. Congress and Other Actors: 8. The plot thickens: congress and the president Barbara Sinclair
9. Congress and the courts: a case of casting Elliot E. Slotnick and Sheldon Goldman
10. Behind the scenes: the Supreme Court and congress in statutory interpretation Lori Hausegger and Lawrence Baum
11. Congress and foreign policy: a neglected stage Randall B. Ripley
Part V. Conclusion: 12. 'The play's the thing': congress and the future Samuel C. Patterson and Herbert F. Weisberg
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Central government [JPQ]