Publisher Description

However much politicians are demeaned and denounced in modern American society, our democracy could not work without them. For this reason, says Richard Fenno, their activities warrant our attention. In his pioneering book, "Home Style," Fenno demonstrated that a close look at politicians at work in their districts can tell us a great deal about the process of representation. Here, Fenno employs a similarly revealing grassroots approach to explore how patterns of representation have changed in recent decades.

Fenno focuses on two members of the U.S. House of Representatives who represented the same west-central Georgia district at different times: Jack Flynt, who served from the 1950s to the 1970s, and Mac Collins, who has held the seat in the 1990s. His on-the-scene observation of their differing representational styles—Flynt focuses on people, Collins on policy—reveals the ways in which social and demographic changes inspire shifts in representational strategies.

More than a study of representational change in one district, "Congress at the Grassroots" also helps illuminate the larger subject of political change in the South and in the nation as a whole.

Flap

Using the close observational style he employed in his pioneering book, Home Style, Fenno examines changing patterns of Congressional representation in the South as politians changed their approach from personal to more policy/issues orientation.

Author Biography

-->Richard -->-->F. -->-->Fenno, Jr., --> is Distinguished University Professor of Political Science at the University of Rochester. His twelve previous books on the Congress and other political subjects include the award-winning Home Style: House Members in Their Districts, for which this book is a long-awaited sequel.

Table of Contents

ContentsPreface 1. Political Representation 2. Jack Flynt, 1970-1972: A Person-Intensive Strategy 3. Jack Flynt, 1972-1976: Change and Challenge 4. Mac Collins, 1996-1998: A Policy-Intensive Strategy 5. Mac Collins and Connections: Policy, Personal, Party Conclusion Notes Index Maps1. Flynt's Original District, 1954-1964 (Georgia's Fourth Congressional District) 2. Flynt's Transitional District, 1966-1970 (Georgia's Sixth Congressional District) 3. Flynt's New District, 1972-1976 (Georgia's Sixth Congressional District) 4. Collins's Original District, 1992-1994 (Georgia's Third Congressional District) 5. Collins's New District, 1996-present (Georgia's Third Congressional District) Tables1. Flynt District Engagements, January 1973-May 1974 2. Georgia Sixth District Vote, 1974, by County 3. Flynt Rankings of Campaign Activities, 1976 4. Flynt County Strengths, 1976 5. Flynt Predictions and Election Results, 1976

Review

Fenno's book is an enjoyable read for more than its intellectual contributions to the study of representation."Journal of Politics" A fascinating and insightful case study of the change in the nature of representation in a transformed South."Choice" "This beautifully written book is indispensable for students of Congress and the South.Merle Black, coauthor of "Politics and Society in the South" and "The Vital South"" "In revisiting legislators' home styles, Fenno has prepared another masterpiece.Charles S. Bullock III, University of Georgia" This beautifully written book is indispensable for students of Congress and the South.Merle Black, coauthor of "Politics and Society in the South" and "The Vital South" In revisiting legislators' home styles, Fenno has prepared another masterpiece.Charles S. Bullock III, University of Georgia

Long Description

However much politicians are demeaned and denounced in modern American society, our democracy could not work without them. For this reason, says Richard Fenno, their activities warrant our attention. In his pioneering book,Home Style, Fenno demonstrated that a close look at politicians at work in their districts can tell us a great deal about the process of representation. Here, Fenno employs a similarly revealing grassroots approach to explore how patterns of representation have changed in recent decades.Fenno focuses on two members of the U.S. House of Representatives who represented the same west-central Georgia district at different times: Jack Flynt, who served from the 1950s to the 1970s, and Mac Collins, who has held the seat in the 1990s. His on-the-scene observation of their differing representational styles

Review Quote

This beautifully written book is indispensable for students of Congress and the South. Merle Black, coauthor of Politics and Society in the South and The Vital South

Promotional "Headline"

"Fenno's book is an enjoyable read for more than its intellectual contributions to the study of representation. . . . This volume communicates . . . the essential humanity of both of the politicians who are observed and their observer."-- Journal of Politics

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