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The Rise Of Agenda Diversity In America: Its Cause And Consequences, John K. Wagner
The Rise Of Agenda Diversity In America: Its Cause And Consequences, John K. Wagner
Political Science ETDs
More than ever, Americans disagree on what issues are important. This diversity in the public agenda has received scant attention in recent years. Consequently, our understanding of why agenda diversity developed relies on a single analysis method, and we know next to nothing about the consequences for the American polity. Using a novel approach to measuring agenda diversity and an advanced experimental design, this dissertation demonstrates the causal connection between issue-based selective exposure to news and higher agenda diversity. Concerning its consequences, this work investigates congressional responsiveness. Results from a complex analysis of constituency public opinion, Congress bill sponsorship, and …
Representing Outside The Box: Identity-Based Constituencies And Surrogate Representation In U.S. State Legislatures, Julia Hellwege
Representing Outside The Box: Identity-Based Constituencies And Surrogate Representation In U.S. State Legislatures, Julia Hellwege
Political Science ETDs
This project asks: whom do representatives seek to represent and how do they do it? Specifically, I seek to understand how marginalized state legislators define the concept of “constituency” and the implications for their legislative behavior. I argue that marginalization affects legislators through two avenues: socially through their identity, and institutionally through the proportion their identity group holds in the state legislature. I argue that when legislators are marginalized their awareness of identity and identity-based issue needs are prioritized and they will come to define group members as a salient identity constituency. Furthermore, they will seek to represent this salient …