The Causes and Consequences of “Running Scared”

Authors

  • Richard Herrerra
  • Michael Yawn

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.2007.28.0.119-138

Abstract

Despite attention given to the advantage of incumbency and the tireless pursuit of a personal vote by members of Congress, little attention has been directed at the consequences of the ‘running scared’ phenomenon. Specifically, the relationship between congressional behavior and changes in the electorate is as yet unspecified. Did the erosion of partisanship in the electorate facilitate the emergence of a new style of representative? Or did the activities of members of Congress beginning in the years immediately following World War II contribute to a partisan dealignment? Drawing on the work of Fiorina and using some available but heretofore neglected data, we demonstrate that changes in congressional behavior were spurred by an increased sensitivity to electoral fortunes and began prior to the electoral dealignment of the 1960s. Further, we show that the changing behavior of House members was working to weaken partisan ties among the electorate.

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Published

2007-07-01

Issue

Vol. 28: Summer 2007

Section

Articles

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