ABSTRACT

Research has found numerous differences between amateur and quality candidates in the realm of campaigns and elections, but little research has been conducted on the ideological differences between the two classes of candidates once they enter Congress. Using ideology scores and background data from members of the House since the 103rd Congress, I demonstrate that previously serving in an elected office exerts a moderating effect on Representatives’ ideologies. These findings suggest that Representatives who had never served in elective government before joining Congress are less likely to compromise with the other party and thus more likely to add to Congressional polarisation. However, not all previous experience before joining Congress is equal. Previous experience serving at the local level, such as major or city council member, appears to have the greatest moderating effect on the ideology of members of the House.

摘要

研究发现，在竞选和选举领域，业余候选人和优质候选人之间存在诸多差异，但很少有人对这两类候选人进入国会后的意识形态差异进行研究。使用自第 103 届国会以来众议院议员的意识形态得分和背景数据，我证明以前在民选办公室任职会对众议员的意识形态产生调节作用。这些调查结果表明，在加入国会之前从未在选举政府任职的代表不太可能与另一方妥协，因此更有可能加剧国会的两极分化。然而，并不是所有加入国会之前的经验都是平等的。以前在地方一级服务的经验，例如主要或市议会成员，