Extracts from this document...

Introduction

Krista Slocum Per.5 A Trend of Decentralization Although Congress began as an entity of centralization, it has slowly taken a trend of strong decentralization. The intentions of the founders of Congress were concerned about excessive power in one branch as well as mob rule and on what basis congress was going to be represented. The solution to this was bicameral legislation that resulted in an upper house, the Senate, and a lower house, the House of Representatives. As this high efficiency, less participation program began to fall into place, a major change occurred in 1970 that dismembered this once centralized system. Factors leading to the decentralization of Congress include the division of powers through the committee systems, congress members focusing on reelection and their incessant attention catered toward constituents. "Members of Congress are not only faced with the daily dilemma of balancing reelection interests with their efforts at upward power mobility within Congress; their lives area also complicated by a cruel paradox, the ultimate incompatibility of widely dispersed power within Congress, on the other hand, and a strong role for Congress in national decision making, on the other."1 The committee system leads to specialization in areas of interest and expertise at the expense of a consistent set of goals and policies. ...read more.

Middle

Congressman fined it easy to claim federal projects awarded to their districts. "Virtually all members of the U.S. Congress are preoccupied with power considerations. They are unwilling-unless forced by external events-to leave the major decisions in either a centralized, autonomous staff system or a central leadership."7 Congressmen must focus almost solely on reelection n and activities related to reelection. They advertise for themselves in order to disseminate ones name from another. Congressmen also put an emphasis on credit claiming making the focus on the individual accomplishments, rather than governmental or party accomplishments. Another activity that congressmen frequently participate in that has aided the decentralization of congress is position taking. Where a congressman stands on an issue and whether he supports the president, may be directly connected to his reelection. "There is no doubt that congressmen believe positions make a difference."8 The heterogeneous nature of the United States means that the issues that concern the constituents of one congressman are different than those of other members. Each member of Congress wants to exercise power in order to make key decisions, thus making every member in a personal conflict with every other member. "Given this widespread power motive, an obvious way to resolve the conflict is to disperse power-or at least power positions-as widely as possible."9 This was the evolution of committees and subcommittees in which had certain control in certain jurisdiction areas. ...read more.

Conclusion

2004, The Rise of the Washington Establishment 3 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, The Rise of the Washington Establishment 4 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress and the Quest for Power 5 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress and the Quest for Power 6 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress and the Quest for Power 7 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress and the Quest for Power 8 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress and the Quest for Power 9 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress: The Electoral Connection 10 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress: The Electoral Connection 11 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress: The Electoral Connection 12 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress: The Electoral Connection 13 American Government Readings and Cases, Fifteenth Edition, Peter Woll, 97-52268 CIP, Copyright (c) 2004, Congress: The Electoral Connection ?? ?? ?? ?? ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level United States section.