Dedication

pp v-vi

Contents

pp vii-viii

Figures

pp ix-xii

Tables

pp xiii-xiv

Contributors

pp xv-xviii

Acknowledgments

pp xix-xx

1 - Introduction

pp 1-12

Part I - Candidate Evaluation and Selection

pp 13-14

2 - The Importance of Issue Representation in a Polarized Congress

pp 15-41

3 - Can Citizens Assess Policies Based on Programs’ Costs and Benefits? The Role of Yardsticks and Contextual Information in Democratic Accountability

pp 42-67

4 - Logic with Polarized Parties, Changing Media, and Motivated Reasoners

pp 68-88

5 - Groups, Parties, and Policy Demands in House Nominations

pp 89-126

Part II - The Media and The Informational Environment

pp 127-128

6 - Local Newspapers and Ideological Accountability in US House Elections

pp 129-149

7 - Inequality, or Invisibility and Inaccuracy? How Local Newspapers Cover the Occupational Backgrounds of Congressional Incumbents and Challengers

pp 150-172

8 - Congressional Accountability in the Contemporary Media Environment: Arguments, Data, and Methods

pp 173-194

Part III - Policymaking, Information Provision, and Accountability

pp 195-196

9 - Coalition Leadership in the Polarized Congress

pp 197-220

10 - Fire Alarms and Democratic Accountability

pp 221-241

11 - Achieving Accountability: Aligning Institutions and Behavior

pp 242-262

Part IV - Outside The Public Eye? Private Interests and Policymaking

pp 263-264

12 - Legislator Advocacy on Behalf of Constituents and Corporate Donors: A Case Study of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

pp 265-294

13 - Organized Interests, Policymaking, and Congressional Accountability

pp 295-310

14 - Administrative Politics with Clear Stakes and Venues: Strategic Commenting upon Federal Reserve Debit Card Regulations

pp 311-333

15 - Conclusion: Assessing Contemporary Accountability

pp 334-342

Bibliography

pp 343-360

Author Index

pp 361-366

Subject Index

pp 367-374