Congress in Context - Hardcover

Haskell, John; Grove, Sara; Currinder, Marian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0367097710 ISBN 13: 9780367097714

Publisher: Routledge, 2019

Synopsis

The U.S. Congress is by the far the least popular (and most misunderstood) branch of the federal government. Congress in Context de-mystifies the institution, giving students a comprehensive and practical understanding of Congress and the legislative process. This book takes a different approach to the study of Congress than other texts. Usually Congress is treated in isolation from the rest of the government. But the Framers of the Constitution explicitly intended for the branches of government to be interdependent. Congress in Context introduces readers to Congress's critical role in the context of this interdependent system. Using the metaphor of a board of directors, the authors explain the three key roles of Congress within the federal government (authorizing what government does, funding its activities, and supervising how it carries out the laws Congress passes) and shows students how Congress interacts with the rest of the government to exercise these powers.The thoroughly expanded and revised second edition features brand-new chapters on Congress and the courts and Congress and interest groups. It also includes expanded coverage of Congress's relationship with the executive branch, campaign finance, and today's major budget issues. Grounded in the latest political science literature coupled with contemporary examples, Congress in Context offers students an informed yet accessible introduction to how the legislative branch carries out its duties.

About this title

About the Author

John Haskell

From the Back Cover

"Thorough, well-written, and provides a unique insider s account of Congress s relationship with the broader political system. The authors combine classic congressional scholarship with contemporary policy issues to explain the nuts and bolts of how Congress functions as a policymaker within a complex system of shared powers."
Alison Howard, Dominican University of California
"The framework of 'Congress as a board of directors' is uniqueit gets at what the institution does in an interesting and accessible way.
David Dulio, Oakland University
Realistic without being cynical, serious without being grave. Readers of this book will come away with a richer understanding of the powers and limitations of Congress."
John J. Pitney Jr., Claremont McKenna College
Grounded in the latest political science literature coupled with contemporary examples, "Congress in Context" de-mystifies the institution and offers students an informed yet accessible introduction to how the legislative branch carries out its duties. Using the metaphor of a board of directors, the authors explain the three key roles of Congress within the federal governmentauthorizing what government does, funding its activities, and supervising how It carries out the laws Congress passes. The thoroughly expanded and revised second edition features brand-new chapters on Congress and the courts and Congress and interest groups. It also included expanded coverage of Congress s relationship with the executive branch, campaign finance, and today s major budget issues.
JOHN HASKELL is Assistant Director and Senior Specialist, Government and Finance Division, with the Congressional Research Service. Haskell was Senior Fellow with the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University from 2000 to 2013.
MARIAN CURRINDER is Senior Fellow with the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.
SARA A. GROVE is professor in the Department of Political Science at Shippensburg University."

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0367097710
• ISBN 13: 9780367097714
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 504