Evaluation of Congress: Criticism and Reform Criticisms: Unrepresentative Ineffective Responsible for expansion of government Polarized, uncivil and gridlocked Reform suggestion: Term Limits

Unresponsiveness The charge – Congress is unresponsive to the will of the American people Members are of the elite Leaders are not elected by the people Voters have little to no influence on committee and party leaders Evaluation Is this criticism valid? Is it a real problem? Do institutions exist that counter the tendency and make Congress more responsive? If a problem, is there a remedy?

Ineffectiveness Hyperpluralism argument: Overrepresentation argument: So many interests compete for Congressional favor that the policies which emerge from Congress are uncoordinated, fragmented, not cohesive and/or incoherent Overrepresentation argument: Congress tries to protect the interests of many different types of people; as a result it often creates contradictory policies Evaluation Is this criticism valid? Is it a real problem? If a problem, is there a remedy?

Overexpansionism By trying to be all things to all people Congress keeps creating programs thus continually expanding the role and scope of government. Evaluation Is the criticism valid? Is it a problem? Is there a solution?

Polarization, Lack of Civility and Gridlock Congress is overpolarized leading to gridlock Party line voting has increased Ideological purity has increased Demonizing the opposition has increased Compromise is less possible Evaluation/Solution: If criticism is valid, what can be done? Routine gathering of representatives in non-political situations De-emphasizing campaigning and fund-raising Change in redistricting practices

Term Limits Incumbents who run for reelection are invariably retuned to office Before 2010 the rate exceeded 95% for the house Even in 2010 (the anti-incumbent year) the rate was 80% What arguments can be made that this is bad for the country? A potential solution is to limit the terms of office that any representative can serve What arguments can be made in favor? What arguments can be made against?