U.S. Congressman David Price (D-NC) and Vanderbilt experts on American politics participated in a candid conversation charting the transformation of Congress. Vanderbilt political scientists Alan Wiseman and Larry Bartels will share their expertise with Rep. Price in a lively discussion laced with anecdotes and analysis from his book “The Congressional Experience: An Institution Transformed.” In addition to addressing Congress’ evolution through the last seven presidential administrations, the trio discussed the rise in polarization, the centralization of power in leadership and the role of the citizen in a representative democracy.
“The effectiveness of Congress still depends on members’ willingness to invest time, energy and staff resources in policy initiatives. But the incentive to seek such a role has become weaker and the path to success more difficult in the modern House,” Price said. “For a member who comes to the Congress wanting to make an impact on national policy, I do think it’s a place where that’s still possible.”
- Read the full recap on Vanderbilt News: “Is the U.S. Congress broken?”
- See other discussions sponsored by The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy.
- Learn more about Price’s book The Congressional Experience: An Institution Transformed