Summary: Changes in Congress 1947 - 2002

1. The Disappearance of the Marginal Districts: 1960 - 1980
   
   1972 Mayhew Graph
   1960 Mayhew Graph
   Percent Marginal Districts: 1946 - 1998
   
   
   1. Was it the Redistricting in the early 1960s? Fiorina (1977), No.
      
      
   2. Was it the Increase in the Incumbency Advantage? Fiorina (1977), Yes.
      
      House Incumbency Advantage
      Senate Incumbency Advantage
      
      
   3. Why did the Incumbency Advantage Increase? Fiorina (1977), the dramatic increase of the "Casework Style" of Representation
      
      Congressional Staff
      Committee Staff
      
      
   4. The Growth of Government Increases the Opportunities for Members of Congress to Provide Assistance to Constituents
      
      Pages in the Federal Register: 1936-2001
      
      
2. Why Did the System Appear to Change Again After 1980?
   
   Percent Marginal Districts: 1946 - 1998
   Local-National Effects Midterm House Elections
   Local-National Effects Presidential Year House Elections
   
   
   1. Fiorina (2001): Everyone Started Using the Casework Style! A High Level of Constituency Service Became the Norm and was Expected by the Voters!
      
      Congressional Staff
      Committee Staff
      
      
   2. Fiorina (2001): Incumbents Have a Money Advantage
      
      Campaign Expenditures Congressional Elections
      Soft Money Congressional Elections
      
      
   3. Fiorina (2001): Politicians in General Care Much More About Policy Than They Used To
      
      Polarization
      
      
   4. Cox and Katz (2002): The Redistricting Did Do it!