SYSTEMIC CONSEQENCES OF INCUBENCY ADVANTAGE IN THE U.S. HOUSE ELECTIONS

In: American journal of political science: AJPS, Band 35, Heft 1, S. 110-138

Abstract

THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE ELECTORAL ADVANTAGE OF INCUMBENCY HAS SPARKED WIDESPREAD INTEREST AMONG CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCHERS OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE INFLUENCE OF THE INCUMBENCY ADVANTAGE ON TWO FEATURES OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN THE U.S. HOUSE ELECTIONS: ELECTORAL RESPONSIVENESS AND PARTISAN BIAS. THE FINDINGS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS ARTICLE. THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT INCUMBENCY ADVANTAGE AFFECTS THE UNDERLYING ELECTORAL SYSTEM, BUT CONTRARY TO THE CONVENTIONAL WISDON, THIS CHANGES THE TREND IN PARTISIAN BIAS MORE THAN ELECTORIAL RESPONSIVENESS.