Congressional bargaining in presidential time: Give and take, anticipation, and the constitutional rationalization of dead ducks

This article introduces a simple theory of bargaining between presidents and members of Congress. Although it employs the analytics common to the typical "sequenced" theories, its approach places more emphasis on give and take, on less reliable information about intentions, and on more complex strategic considerations. The formal results highlight a presidential tenure effect, which in turn suggests four empirical expectations. The article then uses a unique empirical opportunity and data to assess and eventually validate expectations suggesting, in turn, that declining presidential tenure has a substantial effect on confidential bargaining, making coalition formation more erratic and costly. The article concludes with a theoretically informed discussion of how growing congressional seniority led to imposing the 20th and 22nd constitutional amendments. © 2011 Southern Political Science Association.

Duke Scholars

Author Scott de Marchi Political Science