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Book Cover
E-book
Author Wawro, Gregory J. (Gregory John)

Title Filibuster : obstruction and lawmaking in the U.S. Senate / Gregory J. Wawro and Eric Schickler
Published Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2006]
©2006

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Description 1 online resource (326 pages)
Series Princeton studies in American politics : historical, international, and comparative perspectives
Princeton studies in American politics.
Contents Obstruction in theoretical context -- The mutability of senate rules -- Where's the pivot? -- Dilatory motions and the success of obstruction -- Obstruction and the tariff -- Slavery and obstruction in the antebellum senate -- Obstruction and institutional change -- Cloture reform reconsidered -- The impact of cloture on the appropriations process
Summary Parliamentary obstruction, popularly known as the 'filibuster, ' has been a defining feature of the U.S. Senate throughout its history. In this book, Wawro and Schickler explain how the Senate managed to satisfy its lawmaking role during the 19th and early 20th century, when it lacked seemingly essential formal rules for governing debate. What prevented the Senate from self-destructing during this time? The authors argue that in a system where filibusters played out as wars of attrition, the threat of rule changes prevented the institution from devolving into parliamentary chaos. They show that institutional patterns of behavior induced by inherited rules did not render Senate rules immune from fundamental changes. The authors' theoretical arguments are supported through a combination of extensive quantitative and case-study analysis, which spans a broad swath of history. They consider how changes in the larger institutional and political context--such as the expansion of the country and the move to direct election of senators--led to changes in the Senate regarding debate rules. They further investigate the impact these changes had on the functioning of the Senate. The book concludes with a discussion relating battles over obstruction in the Senate's past to recent conflicts over judicial nominations.--Book jacket flap
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 285-301) and index
Notes Print version record
Subject United States. Congress. Senate -- Freedom of debate
United States. Congress. Senate -- Cloture.
United States. Congress. Senate -- Rules and practice
SUBJECT United States -- Congress -- Rules and practice. blmlsh
United States. Congress. Senate fast
USA Congress Senate gnd
USA / Senat. swd
Subject Filibusters (Political science) -- United States
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- Legislative Branch.
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Process -- General.
Legislation -- United States.
Parliamentary practice -- United States.
Cloture
Filibusters (Political science)
Redefreiheit
Filibuster
Gesetzgebungsverfahren
Geschäftsordnung
Blockade
Wetgeving.
Politieke oppositie.
Obstructies.
Senaat (Verenigde Staten)
United States
Verenigde Staten.
Genre/Form Rules
Form Electronic book
Author Schickler, Eric, 1969-
ISBN 9781400849475
1400849470
0691134065
9780691134062
Other Titles Obstruction and lawmaking in the U.S. Senate