Tables and Figures; Preface to the Second Edition and Acknowledgments; 1 The Origins of Revolving Gridlock; 2 Theoretical Foundations; 3 Revolving Gridlock and Budgetary Politics; 4 Republican Presidents and Democratic Congresses; 5 Clinton and the Rise of the Republicans; 6 George W. Bush and the Continuation of Gridlock; Conclusion; Appendix: Distribution of ADA Scores; Bibliography; Index
Summary
Despite the early prospects for bipartisan unity on terrorism initiatives, government gridlock continues on most major issues in the wake of the 2004 elections. In this fully revised edition, political scientists David W. Brady and Craig Volden demonstrate that gridlock is not a product of divided government, party politics, or any of the usual scapegoats. It is, instead, an instrumental part of American government--built into our institutions and sustained by leaders acting rationally not only to achieve set goals but to thwart foolish inadvertencies. Looking at key legislative issues from the
