Tag Archives: cambridge university press

When grassroots activism becomes a commodity

UCLA sociologist investigates ‘astroturf’ campaigns in new book

Coming at the height of public opposition to Wal-Mart’s labor practices and expansion into urban markets, the founding in 2005 of Working Families for Wal-Mart appeared to reflect a spontaneous groundswell of public support for the retail giant.

In fact, it was no conventional grassroots campaign. A newspaper reporter later discovered that the group’s lone founder was Wal-Mart and the campaign originated with a consultant hired by the company. (more…)

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Congress Works Better Than Many Think, New Research Shows

The perception of Congress as a gridlocked institution where little happens is overblown, according to new research by scholars at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Washington.

And the way much of Congress’ work gets done is through self-manufactured crises like the “fiscal cliff,” say political science professors Scott Adler of CU-Boulder and John Wilkerson of UW.

“Yes, Congress has taken on a more partisan tone in recent decades,” Adler said. “We do hear a lot about the conflicts between Democrats and Republicans on key pieces of legislation. But we’re also seeing Congress exceeding public expectations. Congress does govern.” (more…)

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‘Fiscal cliff’ challenge explored in ‘Congress and the Politics of Problem Solving’

John Wilkerson, University of Washington professor of political science, is the co-author with E. Scott Adler of the University of Colorado of a new book titled “Congress and the Politics of Problem Solving,” published in December by Cambridge University Press. Wilkerson answered a few questions about the book for UW Today.

Q: What is the central concept behind your new book?

A: We argue that members of Congress care about solving problems in society and that their electoral success partly depends upon their collective performance as a problem solving institution.

Q: You and your co-author state in press notes that your book “offers a glass half-full rather than a glass half-empty perspective on lawmaking.” Can you explain?

Understandably, the media, scholars and the public tend to be more attentive to political conflict (especially partisan conflict) than to political cooperation. Yet on most issues, including the most important issues, consensus and cooperation are the norm within Congress. (more…)

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