Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism

by Thad Kousser

Overview

This study of the effects that term limit laws (restrictions on the number of years for which legislators can serve) have had on politics and policy in American states, combines interviews of capitol insiders with archival records and statistical analysis. The final conclusion—that term limits have had an adverse effect on the professional behavior of legislative members—bears relevance to the current debate over the wisdom of establishing term limits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521548731
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/28/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	275
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Thad Kousser joined the University of Califonia, San Diego faculty in 2003 after receiving his Ph.D. in 2002 from the University of California, Berkeley. He has previously worked as a legislative aide and committee consultant in the California State Senate and more recently as an aide to US Senator Ron Wyden through the APSA Congressional Fellowship. His publications include work on term limits, reapportionment, campaign finance laws, the blanket primary, health care policy, and European Parliament elections. This book is based on a dissertation that won the APSA's William Anderson Prize in 2003.

Table of Contents

Part I. The Many Designs of American State Legislature: 1. Introduction; 2. Narratives of change in six states; Part II. How Design Affects a Legislature's Form: 3. The stability of leadership: how long do 'First Among Equals' last?; 4. The role of committees: independent actors or agents?; 5. Patterns in legislative achievement; Part III. How Design Affects a Legislature's Function: 6. Bargaining between the legislative and executive branches; 7. The production of policy innovation; 8. Conclusions; 9. Epilogue: adaptations to term limits.

Editorial Reviews

"A thorough analysis of the impact term limits have had on the functions of state legislatures, Kousser's book is exceptionally well written." The Law and Politics Book Review

From the Publisher