The Dynamics of Partisan Behavior: CPG in the House and in the Districts 1982-2000

Abstract

This study uses congressional district data to explore the relationship between electoral constituencies and legislative behavior. We demonstrate a relationship between conditional party government (CPG) and the fit between members' party affiliation and their districts. This suggests that CPG may be partly driven by members' response to district preferences. As majority party members' districts become increasingly supportive of their party, members may support the delegation of power to their party leadership in order to move outcomes away from the chamber median.

Keywords: conditional party government, CPG, constituency, demographics