Abstract
Scholars studying the determinants of congressional voting behavior have always faced the problem of how to measure the effects of constituency influence. In place of random surveys in congressional districts, which are too costly to conduct nationwide, scholars have employed a variety of proxy variables to measure constituency attitudes. In this research note we review these proxies and test the reliability and validity of the most popular, that is, presidential election returns at the state and district level. The use of this proxy rests upon two assumptions: (a) short-term factors affecting the vote have a more or less uniform effect across subnational constituencies and (b) constituency ideology is the sole long-term factor affecting the vote. Both of these assumptions prove to be empirically questionable, leading us to conclude that presiden tial election returns should be used as a proxy for constituency ideology only with great caution.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.