MISCHIEFS OF FACTION

Reflections on Parties and Their Place in Politics

Matthew Green

Mar 22, 20214 min read

To delay or not to delay?

House Republicans wrestle with an age-old dilemma: cooperation versus confrontation.

The Staff

Feb 15, 20214 min read

Are voters' preferences over stimulus checks driven by party loyalty or financial gain?

Experiment shows Republicans' fealty to Trump overrides their desire for stimulus money

The Freedom Caucus is not just a D.C. phenomenon

The Staff

Feb 10, 20214 min read

The Freedom Caucus is not just a D.C. phenomenon

The House Freedom Caucus is not only highly influential in Congress; it has inspired state lawmakers to form caucuses of their own. Why?

Does a Party Lose for Doing Too Much or Too Little?

Seth Masket

Jan 26, 20214 min read

Does a Party Lose for Doing Too Much or Too Little?

Majority party members often get punished for being part of a productive party, not rewarded.

Matthew Green

Jan 12, 20215 min read

From freedom to sedition

How the House Freedom Caucus abandoned its constitutional conservatism and led an effort to subvert the 2020 presidential election.

Matthew Green

Jan 7, 20214 min read

A dark day

The violent attack on the U.S. Congress put a glaring spotlight on two disturbing features of contemporary American politics.

The politics of governing with a tiny majority

Matthew Green

Dec 29, 20205 min read

The politics of governing with a tiny majority

Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats will be tested by their party’s smaller size.

Will Pelosi’s Power be Curtailed in the 117th Congress?

The Staff

Dec 14, 20203 min read

Will Pelosi’s Power be Curtailed in the 117th Congress?

House Democrats’ smaller majority will likely have a counterintuitive effect on Speaker influence.

Matthew Green

Dec 13, 20204 min read

When ideology trumps democracy

Reelection concerns motivated many House Republicans to support the anti-democratic Texas lawsuit -- but ideology did too.

Who will lead the House Democratic Party?

The Staff

Nov 13, 20205 min read

Who will lead the House Democratic Party?

A lowdown on upcoming races for leadership posts in the U.S. House -- and why the speakership isn’t among them.

The Freedom Caucus won't remove Speaker Pelosi. But the attempt could still be significant.

Matthew Green

Sep 17, 20204 min read

The Freedom Caucus won't remove Speaker Pelosi. But the attempt could still be significant.

The plan underscores the Caucus' support for Trump – and how a recent rule change may make the Speakership more partisan.

Matthew Green

Jul 22, 20204 min read

Cheney versus the Freedom Caucus

The recent GOP brouhaha is indicative of how closely the House Freedom Caucus and its allies have tied themselves to Trump.

Why Political Science Doesn't Like Term Limits

Seth Masket

Jan 20, 20204 min read

Why Political Science Doesn't Like Term Limits

The political science literature on term limits is almost uniformly negative.

Most House Democrats will vote to impeach Trump. Is pressure from party leaders the reason why?

Matthew Green

Dec 17, 20193 min read

Most House Democrats will vote to impeach Trump. Is pressure from party leaders the reason why?

Pelosi says she is not whipping this week’s impeachment vote. The truth is more complicated.

To understand why Republicans are sticking with Trump, think like a gambler

Jennifer N. Victor

Nov 27, 20194 min read

To understand why Republicans are sticking with Trump, think like a gambler

Aversion to loss, fueled by polarization, explains why a disgraced Trump is better for Republicans than President Pence

House Republicans are drawing from the minority party playbook

Matthew Green

Nov 21, 20194 min read

House Republicans are drawing from the minority party playbook

Republicans' defense of presidential conduct and complaints about unfair proceedings are par for the course for a House minority party.

Gender, Scandal, and Exit--Katie Hill's Retirement in Perspective

Gregory Koger

Oct 29, 20195 min read

Gender, Scandal, and Exit--Katie Hill's Retirement in Perspective

The Hill resignation is not an isolated incident. Chasing female legislators from Congress based on their husband's behavior is a tradition.

Matthew Green

Oct 21, 20194 min read

Where GOP support for Trump is weakest

Two recent congressional resolutions suggest that certain Republicans are less than enthusiastic about the president.

How does changing control of Congress affect the fortunes of lobbying firms?

The Staff

Oct 3, 20194 min read

How does changing control of Congress affect the fortunes of lobbying firms?

When a party loses power in the House, lobbying firms associated with that party lose revenue. It's different with the Senate.

Matthew Green

Sep 23, 20193 min read

AOC and the Power of Party Norms

An example of how social norms cement party discipline in Congress.