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The Class of '74

Congress after Watergate and the Roots of Partisanship

John A. Lawrence

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A thought-provoking look at the game-changing congressional Class of 1974.

In November 1974, following the historic Watergate scandal, Americans went to the polls determined to cleanse American politics. Instead of producing the Republican majority foreshadowed by Richard Nixon’s 1972 landslide, dozens of GOP legislators were swept out of the House, replaced by 76 reforming Democratic freshmen. In The Class of '74, John A. Lawrence examines how these newly elected representatives bucked the status quo in Washington, helping to effectuate unprecedented reforms. Lawrence’s long-standing work in...

A thought-provoking look at the game-changing congressional Class of 1974.

In November 1974, following the historic Watergate scandal, Americans went to the polls determined to cleanse American politics. Instead of producing the Republican majority foreshadowed by Richard Nixon’s 1972 landslide, dozens of GOP legislators were swept out of the House, replaced by 76 reforming Democratic freshmen. In The Class of '74, John A. Lawrence examines how these newly elected representatives bucked the status quo in Washington, helping to effectuate unprecedented reforms. Lawrence’s long-standing work in Congress afforded him unique access to former members, staff, House officers, journalists, and others, enabling him to challenge the time-honored reputation of the Class as idealistic, narcissistic, and naïve "Watergate Babies." Their observations help reshape our understanding of the Class and of a changing Congress through frank, humorous, and insightful opinions.

These reformers provided the votes to disseminate power, elevate suppressed issues, and expand participation by junior legislators in congressional deliberations. But even as such innovations empowered progressive Democrats, the greater openness they created, combined with changing undercurrents in American politics in the mid-1970s, facilitated increasingly bitter battles between liberals and conservatives. These disputes foreshadowed contemporary legislative gridlock and a divided Congress.

Today, many observers point to gerrymandering, special-interest money, and a host of other developments to explain the current dysfunction of American politics. In The Class of '74, Lawrence argues that these explanations fail to recognize deep roots of partisanship. To fully understand the highly polarized political environment that now pervades the House and American politics, we must examine the complex politics, including a more open and contentious House, that emerged in the wake of Watergate.

Reviews

Reviews

An essential work of congressional history.

And [Lawrence] was about a month from publishing The Class of ’74: Congress After Watergate and the Roots of Partisanship, his timely book on the uses and abuses of congressional power.

This is an exceptionally useful study of congressional dynamics. Taking full measure of how House members actually think and act, the author includes telling anecdotes sprinkled with occasional salty language. Highly recommended.

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About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6
x
9
Pages
416
ISBN
9781421424699
Illustration Description
20 b&w photos
Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Toothless, Sapless, and Secretive
2. Seeds of Rebellion
3. The Class
4. The Reinforcements
5. The Revolution
6. Time to Put on the Long Pants
7. Thermidor
8. The

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Toothless, Sapless, and Secretive
2. Seeds of Rebellion
3. The Class
4. The Reinforcements
5. The Revolution
6. Time to Put on the Long Pants
7. Thermidor
8. The Republican Reformers
9. Revolution or Skirmish?
10. Before You Can Save the World, Save Your Seat
11. Coda for Reform
12. Reform and the Rise of Polarization
Conclusion
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Author Bio
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John A. Lawrence

John A. Lawrence is a visiting professor at the University of California's Washington Center. He worked in the House of Representatives for 38 years, the last eight as chief of staff to Speaker and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
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