The Political And Institutional Effects Of Term Limits

Discontent with politics and politicians has led to calls for term limits in the belief that new faces would bring new perspectives and the influence of monied special interests would decrease. This innovative volume examines the effects of term limits by combining statistical analysis of the effects of terms limits on electoral competition, campaign contributions, and the activities of the Michigan legislature with in-depth interviews with legislators. The book sheds important light on the political, institutional and individual effects of terms limits. The authors find many surprises that neither advocates nor opponents anticipated, included shifts in the balance of power, changes within and between political parties, and new career paths for politicians.

Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson is Associate Professor, Charles D. Elder is Professor, Lyke Thompson is Professor, Richard Elling is Professor, and John Strate is Associate Professor, all at Wayne State University.

Section I: Political Impacts of Term Limits * Electoral Competition and Incumbency Advantages * Funding Campaigns in a Term Limited House * The Interest Group Connection: Money, Expertise and Support * Section II: Term-Limited Representatives: Who They Are and Where They're Going * Who They Are: Personal Characteristics of Term Limited Representatives * Legislative Careers Under Term Limits: Motives and Aspirations * Home Style Under Term Limits: Responsiveness to Constituents * Section III: Term Limits and the Michigan House as an Institution * How Term-Limited Representatives Make Up Their Minds * Winning Friends and Influencing People in a Term Limited House * Conflict, Compromise and Partisanship: Committees Under Term Limits * Checks and Balances: Relationships Within Government Under Term Limits * Conclusions * The New Term-limited Age: Aquarius or Armageddon