The Decline of Comity in Congress [Paperback]

Eric M. Uslaner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1993

Probes incivility among U.S. lawmakers, demonstrating why institutional reform will not solve gridlock in Washington

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A first-time viewer of C-SPAN might think that the disparaging remarks that members make about one another and their institution are traditional norms of behavior. Fortunately for Congress and the country, this is not the case, but comity--"the adherence to a set of norms that includes courtesy and reciprocity"--has declined, and political scientist Uslaner aims to explain why. Rejecting four prominent explanations--the Congressional reforms of the 1970s, divided control of the government, the impact of membership change, and the influence of the media--he theorizes that "bad behavior in Congress reflects a decline in comity in the country." The author believes that the United States experiences cycles of incivility that are related to periods of electoral realignment, and he mines a disparate body of secondary souces to develop his argument. Many readers will disagree with some of his interpretation of the data, and some of his inferences are questionable. Still, his book raises fundamental questions about contemporary American culture and politics. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.
- Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press; 1 edition (1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0472084216
• ISBN-13: 978-0472084210
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,002,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.