When Process Becomes Power: Rules, Parties, and Legislative Effectiveness

While majority party success is often shaped by numerical advantages and cohesion, there is academic discussion on the additional causal factors behind it. In this Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) working paper, Nicholas Howard, Assistant Professor at Concordia College, and Tessa Provins, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona and CEL Faculty Affiliate, examine how chamber rules structure the legislative environment for both parties at each stage of the legislative process. This study argues that chamber rules do more than simply reinforce majority party dominance, but also form conditions for legislative effectiveness by creating opportunities for majority and minority parties. Howard and Provins use the CEL’s State Legislative Effectiveness Scores to disaggregate effectiveness across the legislative stages and to ultimately show that procedural design does not necessarily advantage or disadvantage a single party. The study concludes that rules create distinct opportunities and constraints at specific points in the policymaking process. Additionally, the findings in the study reinforce the assumption that institutional rules mitigate or intensify power asymmetries and legislative influence between parties in lawmaking outcomes.

To learn more, read the full report here.

Photo: “My Trusty Gavel” by steakpinball is licensed under CC BY 2.0.