The U.S. Congress : a very short introduction
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The U.S. Congress : a very short introduction
（Very short introductions, 244）
Oxford University Press, c2010
- : pbk
- Other Title
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The United States Congress
Available at / 65 libraries
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National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies Library (GRIPS Library)
: pbk314.53||R4801224798
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-138) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Many scholars believe that the framers of the Constitution intended Congress to be the preeminent branch of government. Indeed, no other legislature in the world approaches its power. Yet most Americans have only a murky idea of how it works.
In The U.S. Congress, Donald A. Ritchie, a congressional historian for more than thirty years, takes readers on a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of Capitol Hill-pointing out the key players, explaining their behavior, and translating parliamentary language into plain English. No mere civics lesson, this eye-opening book provides an insider's perspective on Congress, matched with a professional historian's analytical insight. After a swift survey of the creation of Congress by the
constitutional convention, he begins to unscrew the nuts and pull out the bolts. What is it like to campaign for congress? To attract large donors? To enter either house with no seniority? He answers these questions and more, explaining committee assignments (and committee work), the role of staffers and
lobbyists, floor proceedings, parliamentary rules, and coalition building. Ritchie explores the great effort put into constituent service-as representatives and senators respond to requests from groups and individuals-as well as media relations and news coverage. He also explores how the grand concepts we all know from civics class-checks and balances, advise and consent, congressional oversight-work in practice, in an age of strong presidents and a muscular Senate minority (no matter which
party is in that position).
In this sparkling addition to Oxford's Very Short Introduction series, Donald Ritchie moves beyond the cynicism and the platitudes to provide a gem of a portrait of how Congress really works.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: The Great Compromise
-Why Not a Parliament? -All Laws Necessary and Proper -The People's House -The Cooling Senate -To Get Along, Go Along
Chapter 2: Campaigns and Constituents
-Campaigning for Congress -The Freshman Class -Serving Constituents -Media Relations and News Coverage
Chapter 3: Congress at Work
-The Committees -Turning Bills into Laws -House Committees -Senate Committees -Appropriations: Where Things Happen
Chapter 4: Floor Proceedings and Coalition Building
-Debate, Rules, and Procedure -Majority Rule in the House -Minority Muscle in the Senate -Making Laws and Making Sausage
Chapter 5: Checks and Balances
-The Chief Legislator -Advice and Consent -War and Peace -Congress Investigates -Punishment and Protection -Congress and the Courts
Chapter 6: The Contours of Capitol Hill
-The Capitol -The Members -The Staff -Lobbyists and Other Visitors
Bibliography
Notes
Index
by "Nielsen BookData"