Redistricting and Representation

Why Competitive Elections are Bad for America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Redistricting and Representation by Thomas Brunell, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Thomas Brunell ISBN: 9781135925208
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 2, 2010
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Thomas Brunell
ISBN: 9781135925208
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 2, 2010
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Pundits have observed that if so many incumbents are returned to Congress to each election by such wide margins, perhaps we should look for ways to increase competitiveness – a centerpiece to the American way of life – through redistricting. Do competitive elections increase voter satisfaction? How does voting for a losing candidate affect voters’ attitudes toward government? The not-so-surprising conclusion is that losing voters are less satisfied with Congress and their Representative, but the implications for the way in which we draw congressional and state legislative districts are less straightforward.

Redistricting and Representation argues that competition in general elections is not the sine qua non of healthy democracy, and that it in fact contributes to the low levels of approval of Congress and its members. Brunell makes the case for a radical departure from traditional approaches to redistricting – arguing that we need to "pack" districts with as many like-minded partisans as possible, maximizing the number of winning voters, not losers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Pundits have observed that if so many incumbents are returned to Congress to each election by such wide margins, perhaps we should look for ways to increase competitiveness – a centerpiece to the American way of life – through redistricting. Do competitive elections increase voter satisfaction? How does voting for a losing candidate affect voters’ attitudes toward government? The not-so-surprising conclusion is that losing voters are less satisfied with Congress and their Representative, but the implications for the way in which we draw congressional and state legislative districts are less straightforward.

Redistricting and Representation argues that competition in general elections is not the sine qua non of healthy democracy, and that it in fact contributes to the low levels of approval of Congress and its members. Brunell makes the case for a radical departure from traditional approaches to redistricting – arguing that we need to "pack" districts with as many like-minded partisans as possible, maximizing the number of winning voters, not losers.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Psychology in Football by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book The Struggle of Latino/Latina University Students by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Expansion or Exodus by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book The Homestead Strike by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book VIRTUAL STATES by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Congressional Representation & Constituents by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book The Rise of Merchant Banking by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Security and Hospitality in Literature and Culture by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Couples Therapy, Multiple Perspectives by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Russian Energy Policy and Military Power by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Women in Public, 1850-1900 by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Globalization and WMD Proliferation by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book MindBody Medicine by Thomas Brunell
Cover of the book Constructs For Understanding Japan by Thomas Brunell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy