The congressional agenda includes many issues about which liberals and conservatives generally agree. Even over these matters, though, Democratic and Republican senators tend to fight with each other. What explains this discord? "Beyond Ideology" argues that many partisan battles are rooted in competition for power rather than disagreement over the rightful role of government. The first book to systematically distinguish Senate disputes centering on ideological questions from the large proportion of them that do not, this volume foregrounds the role of power struggle in partisan conflict. Presidential leadership, for example, inherently polarizes legislators who can influence public opinion of the president and his party by how they handle his agenda. Senators also exploit good government measures and floor debate to embarrass opponents and burnish their own party's image - even when the issues involved are broadly supported or lowstakes. Moreover, Frances E. Lee contends, the congressional agenda itself amplifies conflict by increasingly focusing on issues that reliably differentiate the parties. With the new president pledging to stem the tide of partisan polarization, "Beyond Ideology" provides a timely taxonomy of exactly what stands in his way.

About the Author
Frances E. Lee is associate professor in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland.

Reviews
"Innovative, interesting, and important, Beyond Ideology gives us rich new insights on an institution about which we still know relatively little compared with the House. It is a substantial contribution that sheds new light on complex relationships and offers engaging illustrations drawn from political interactions on legislation." - David W. Rohde, Duke University"



Book Information
ISBN 9780226470764
Author Frances E. Lee
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint University of Chicago Press
Publisher The University of Chicago Press
Weight(grams) 397g
Dimensions(mm) 23mm * 15mm * 2mm