Discharging Congress: Government by Commission
The creation of temporary, independent advisory bodies that give advice to Congress, is an important yet under-investigated area of congressional delegation. With variations to fit the circumstances, lawmakers entrust commissions to accomplish diverse goals, such as coping with increases in the scope and complexity of legislation, forging consensus, drafting legislation, finessing institutional obstacles, coordinating strategy, and promoting party unity.

Campbell investigates why and when Congress formulates policy by commissions rather than by the normal legislative process. He shows that many variables go into the decision to entrust those bodies to render non-partisan recommendations. According to lawmakers and their staff, the three primary justifications for choosing to delegate to commission include expertise, workload, and avoidance. Which of these three dominates depends in large part on the politics surrounding a particular issue and the nature of the policy problem. The logic of delegation to each of the three commission types is different. Which reason dominates depends in large part on the politics surrounding the issue and the nature of the legislative policy problem. Scholars, students, and other researchers involved with Congress, American government, and public policy will find the study of particular interest.

1112076612
Discharging Congress: Government by Commission
The creation of temporary, independent advisory bodies that give advice to Congress, is an important yet under-investigated area of congressional delegation. With variations to fit the circumstances, lawmakers entrust commissions to accomplish diverse goals, such as coping with increases in the scope and complexity of legislation, forging consensus, drafting legislation, finessing institutional obstacles, coordinating strategy, and promoting party unity.

Campbell investigates why and when Congress formulates policy by commissions rather than by the normal legislative process. He shows that many variables go into the decision to entrust those bodies to render non-partisan recommendations. According to lawmakers and their staff, the three primary justifications for choosing to delegate to commission include expertise, workload, and avoidance. Which of these three dominates depends in large part on the politics surrounding a particular issue and the nature of the policy problem. The logic of delegation to each of the three commission types is different. Which reason dominates depends in large part on the politics surrounding the issue and the nature of the legislative policy problem. Scholars, students, and other researchers involved with Congress, American government, and public policy will find the study of particular interest.

95.0 In Stock
Discharging Congress: Government by Commission

Discharging Congress: Government by Commission

by Colton C. Campbell
Discharging Congress: Government by Commission

Discharging Congress: Government by Commission

by Colton C. Campbell

Hardcover

$95.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

The creation of temporary, independent advisory bodies that give advice to Congress, is an important yet under-investigated area of congressional delegation. With variations to fit the circumstances, lawmakers entrust commissions to accomplish diverse goals, such as coping with increases in the scope and complexity of legislation, forging consensus, drafting legislation, finessing institutional obstacles, coordinating strategy, and promoting party unity.

Campbell investigates why and when Congress formulates policy by commissions rather than by the normal legislative process. He shows that many variables go into the decision to entrust those bodies to render non-partisan recommendations. According to lawmakers and their staff, the three primary justifications for choosing to delegate to commission include expertise, workload, and avoidance. Which of these three dominates depends in large part on the politics surrounding a particular issue and the nature of the policy problem. The logic of delegation to each of the three commission types is different. Which reason dominates depends in large part on the politics surrounding the issue and the nature of the legislative policy problem. Scholars, students, and other researchers involved with Congress, American government, and public policy will find the study of particular interest.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780275975111
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 11/30/2001
Pages: 216
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

COLTON C. CAMPBELL is Assistant Professor of Political Science, Florida International University. He has co-edited five earlier books on Congressional politics and practices.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
The Development and Use of Ad Hoc Commissions in Legislative Policymaking
The Path to Delegation
The Politics of Congressional Delegation
A Case in Expertise: The National Commission on AIDS
A Study in Workload Management: The National Commission on The Thrift Industry
A Study in Blame Avoidance: The Base Closure and Realignment Commission
The Significance of Commissions in Understanding Legislative Behavior
Appendix 1: Method and Scope of Research
Appendix 2: Legislative Language Creating a Commission
Appendix 3: Proposed Commissions: 93rd through 107th Congresses
Selected Bibliography
Index

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews