The Early Institutionalization of Congress

Abstract

This study applies Nelson Polsby's conceptualization of an institutionalized organization to the first U.S. Congress. Polsby argued that the modern Congress is relatively well bounded; internally complex, with a clear division of labor; having well defined and universalistically applied rules of action. In a substantial way these characteristics also were present at the creation of Congress. Most importantly, it began with legislatively socialized members. Congress quickly developed a complex division of labor to produce sound legislation. Fair rules and even-handed presiding officers allowed minority views and majority rule. While substantial changes in its institutionalization have occurred in the two centuries since its founding, Congress assumed the characteristics of an institutionalized organization from the outset of its history.