Tyranny of the Minority: The Subconstituency Politics Theory of RepresentationWhy do politicians frequently heed the preferences of small groups of citizens over those of the majority? Breaking new theoretical ground, Benjamin Bishin explains how the desires of small groups, which he calls “subconstituencies,” often trump the preferences of much larger groups. Demonstrating the wide applicability of his “unified theory of representation,” Bishin traces politicians' behavior in connection with a wide range of issues, including the Cuban trade embargo, the extension of hate-crimes legislation to protect gay men and lesbians, the renewal of the assault-weapons ban, and abortion politics. In the process, he offers a unique explanation of when, why, and how special interests dominate American national politics. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 The Subconstituency Politics Theory of Representation | 19 |
Testing IndividualLevel Implications of Representation Theories | 40 |
4 Subconstituencies in Campaigns | 54 |
5 Subconstituencies in Congress | 90 |
6 Heterogeneity and Representation Reconsidered | 120 |
7 The Myth of Issue Visibility | 138 |
8 Conclusion | 155 |
Notes | 167 |
| 183 | |
| 197 | |
Other editions - View all
Tyranny of the Minority: The Subconstituency Politics Theory of Representation Benjamin Bishin No preview available - 2009 |
Tyranny of the Minority: The Subconstituency Politics Theory of Representation Benjamin Bishin No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
108th Congress Achen active groups advocate African Americans Annenberg Election Study appeal to groups Armenian Genocide assault-weapons ban average opinion behavior benefits bill Byron Dorgan campaign positions candidates Chapter citizens co-sponsor co-sponsorship Congress consistent constituency politics constituents Cuba Cuban Americans Cuban trade embargo demand model Democratic difficult elected officials evaluate examine explain F-You Boys find findings first Florida group identity group members gun control hate-crimes legislation House identified ideology implications individuals influence issue visibility thesis knowledge levels majority Mario Diaz-Balart Moreover MULTIPLE-GROUP DISTRICTS National Annenberg Election old Cubans Opposed Opposed partial-birth abortion party percent politicians appeal population predictions preferences Pro-choice Pro-choice Pro-choice Pro-life reflects represent Republican roll-call votes S.Amdt Secular Warriors Senate single-group districts social identities specific statistically significant subconstituency opinion subconstituency politics theory suggests Super-Educated Women Supported Opposed Table take a position Thomas nomination tion two-group districts variable visible issues voters