Assignment Question
Students assigned to write a literature review for the week will write papers that provide a summary of the major questions addressed by the literature, the methodologies employed and the significant findings of the research and how these findings relate back to the major questions. Either in the conclusion or throughout the paper, tie the questions and findings in the articles together and identify which findings or questions you found most interesting. Students who write Literature Reviews will start discussion on each article by giving a summary of the major questions and findings of the article. Jacobson, Gary. 2015. “It’s Nothing Personal: The Decline of the Incumbency Advantage in US House Elections.” Journal of Politics 77: 861-873. Barber, Michael. 2016. “Ideological Donors, Contribution Limits, and the Polarization of American Legislatures.” Journal of Poltics 76: 296-310. Brookman, David and Neal Mahorta. 2020. “What Do Partisan Donors Want?” Public Opinion Ouarterly 84:104-118 Sides, John, Chris Tausanovitch, Lynn Vavreck, and Christopher Warshaw. 2018. “On the Representativeness of Primary Electorates.” British Journal of Political Science 1-9. Brookman, David, Nicholas Carnes, Melody Crowder-Meyer, and Christopher Skovron. 2019. “Why Local Party Leaders Don’t Support Nominating Centrists.” British Journal of Political Science 1-26. Warshaw, Christopher, Eric McGhee, and Michal Migurski. 2022. “Districts for a New Decade- Partisan Outcomes and Racial Representation in the 2021-2022 Redistricting Cycle.” Publius 52: 428-451.
Assignment Answer
In recent years, the role of political donors and their influence on U.S. elections has become a topic of significant interest and concern. This literature review delves into the major questions addressed by various scholarly articles, the methodologies employed in their research, and the significant findings that shed light on the impact of political donors on U.S. elections. Throughout this review, we will also identify which findings or questions stand out as particularly intriguing.
“It’s Nothing Personal: The Decline of the Incumbency Advantage in US House Elections” by Gary Jacobson (2015) explores the decline of the incumbency advantage in U.S. House elections. The research addresses the question of whether incumbents still enjoy the same electoral advantage they once did (Jacobson, 2015). Jacobson’s methodology involves analyzing election data and trends over time. He finds that the incumbency advantage has indeed declined, highlighting a significant shift in U.S. politics (Jacobson, 2015).
Jacobson’s findings suggest that historical advantages enjoyed by incumbent candidates have eroded, leading to more competitive elections (Jacobson, 2015). This decline in incumbency advantage has significant implications for electoral strategies and the behavior of both incumbents and challengers. It underscores the need for politicians to adapt to a changing political landscape, where voter sentiment and dynamics have evolved.
“Ideological Donors, Contribution Limits, and the Polarization of American Legislatures” by Michael Barber (2016) examines the role of ideological donors and contribution limits in shaping the polarization of American legislatures. Barber’s research methods involve a thorough analysis of campaign contributions and their impact (Barber, 2016). The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between donors and the ideological divide in American politics (Barber, 2016).
Barber’s research highlights the pivotal role of ideological donors in contributing to political polarization (Barber, 2016). The data presented in his study show a clear correlation between contributions from ideologically motivated individuals or groups and the increasing polarization of American legislatures. This finding raises questions about the impact of campaign finance regulations and the need for strategies to mitigate extreme polarization in political discourse.
“What Do Partisan Donors Want?” by David Brookman and Neal Mahorta (2020) explores the motivations and desires of partisan donors. The research question centers on understanding the preferences and priorities of individuals who financially support political parties (Brookman & Mahorta, 2020). The authors employ surveys and data analysis to uncover the significant factors driving partisan donor behavior, shedding light on their motivations (Brookman & Mahorta, 2020).
The study by Brookman and Mahorta provides critical insights into the motivations of partisan donors (Brookman & Mahorta, 2020). By analyzing survey responses and donor behavior, the researchers identify key factors that influence donors’ choices. These factors can include policy positions, candidate characteristics, and party alignment. Understanding what partisan donors want is crucial for political parties seeking to mobilize support and tailor their campaigns effectively (Brookman & Mahorta, 2020).
“On the Representativeness of Primary Electorates” by John Sides, Chris Tausanovitch, Lynn Vavreck, and Christopher Warshaw (2018) investigates the representativeness of primary electorates in American politics. The research seeks to answer questions about the demographic and ideological makeup of primary voters and how this impacts candidate selection (Sides et al., 2018). The authors utilize a combination of survey data and statistical analysis to provide insights into the primary election process (Sides et al., 2018).
Sides, Tausanovitch, Vavreck, and Warshaw’s research highlights the importance of understanding primary electorates in American politics (Sides et al., 2018). Their findings reveal that primary voters often have distinct demographic and ideological characteristics compared to the general electorate. This can have significant consequences for candidate selection, as candidates may need to tailor their messages and positions to appeal to primary voters, potentially influencing the overall direction of political parties (Sides et al., 2018).
“Why Local Party Leaders Don’t Support Nominating Centrists” by David Brookman, Nicholas Carnes, Melody Crowder-Meyer, and Christopher Skovron (2019) delves into the intriguing question of why local party leaders often do not support nominating centrist candidates. This research, published in the British Journal of Political Science, employs surveys and interviews with party leaders to uncover the factors driving their candidate preferences (Brookman et al., 2019). The findings offer a deeper understanding of the dynamics within political parties (Brookman et al., 2019).
The study by Brookman, Carnes, Crowder-Meyer, and Skovron underscores the complexities of candidate selection within political parties (Brookman et al., 2019). It reveals that local party leaders may prioritize factors other than ideological centrism when choosing candidates. These factors can include electability, constituency preferences, and the desire to energize the party base. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending how parties shape their platforms and strategies (Brookman et al., 2019).
“Districts for a New Decade – Partisan Outcomes and Racial Representation in the 2021-2022 Redistricting Cycle” by Christopher Warshaw, Eric McGhee, and Michal Migurski (2022) explores the redistricting process and its impact on partisan outcomes and racial representation. The study examines the redistricting cycle of 2021-2022, addressing critical questions about the fairness of district boundaries (Warshaw et al., 2022). Through data analysis, the authors reveal insights into the intersection of partisanship and racial representation in redistricting (Warshaw et al., 2022).
Warshaw, McGhee, and Migurski’s research sheds light on the often contentious process of redistricting and its consequences (Warshaw et al., 2022). Their findings highlight the potential for gerrymandering to distort electoral outcomes and hinder racial representation (Warshaw et al., 2022). This research underscores the importance of fair and equitable redistricting practices to ensure the integrity of the electoral system.
In conclusion, the literature reviewed here collectively provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolving role of political donors in U.S. elections, the dynamics of incumbency advantage, the polarization of American legislatures, and the motivations of partisan donors. Additionally, it sheds light on primary election processes, candidate preferences within political parties, and the implications of redistricting on partisan outcomes and racial representation. These findings are crucial for policymakers, political analysts, and anyone interested in the functioning of American democracy.
References
Barber, M. (2016). Ideological Donors, Contribution Limits, and the Polarization of American Legislatures. Journal of Politics, 76(2), 296-310.
Brookman, D., Carnes, N., Crowder-Meyer, M., & Skovron, C. (2019). Why Local Party Leaders Don’t Support Nominating Centrists. British Journal of Political Science, 1-26.
Brookman, D., & Mahorta, N. (2020). What Do Partisan Donors Want? Public Opinion Quarterly, 84, 104-118.
Jacobson, G. (2015). It’s Nothing Personal: The Decline of the Incumbency Advantage in US House Elections. Journal of Politics, 77, 861-873.
Sides, J., Tausanovitch, C., Vavreck, L., & Warshaw, C. (2018). On the Representativeness of Primary Electorates. British Journal of Political Science, 1-9.
Warshaw, C., McGhee, E., & Migurski, M. (2022). Districts for a New Decade – Partisan Outcomes and Racial Representation in the 2021-2022 Redistricting Cycle. Publius, 52(4), 428-451.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the incumbency advantage, and why has it declined in U.S. House elections?
- The incumbency advantage refers to the historically higher likelihood of incumbent candidates winning re-election. The decline in this advantage is due to various factors, including changing voter preferences and demographics.
- How do ideological donors contribute to the polarization of American legislatures?
- Ideological donors can contribute to polarization by financially supporting candidates who align closely with their beliefs. This can lead to the election of more extreme candidates, further dividing legislative bodies.
- What motivates partisan donors to financially support political parties?
- Partisan donors are motivated by a range of factors, including their alignment with a party’s policies, their belief in a party’s ability to implement their agenda, and their desire to influence the political landscape.
- Why is the representativeness of primary electorates important in American politics?
- Primary electorates often play a significant role in candidate selection. Understanding their demographics and preferences is crucial because candidates may need to tailor their messages to appeal to these voters.
- How does redistricting impact partisan outcomes and racial representation in elections?
- Redistricting can influence election outcomes by shaping the boundaries of electoral districts. When done unfairly (gerrymandering), it can favor one political party over another and potentially dilute minority representation.
