Home Style : House Members in Their Districts

Fenno's Home Style may have since been surpassed by some of his own work, but the original is still the best, in my humble opinion. Fenno traveled with congressmen from around the country and examined how they interact with their constituents while "at home" and out of the Beltway. His findings are a must-read for anyone interested in politics, Congress, and the legislative process. Fenno finds that congressmen are motivated by three factors: first, a desire to be re-elected; second, a desire to gain power within Congress; and third, to try and enact what they believe to be good public policy. Congressmen link these desires with their "home style," that is to say, how they act when dealing with their constituents, and how that translates into their legislative effectiveness. Fenno also portrays the differing ways that congressmen approach their districts. Some are more personable, while others are more aloof and indirect in their dealings. Those who fear losing re-election the least are the least likely to regularly visit their districts (no surprise, but still a useful empirical finding). This book is a must-read!

Homestyle is easy to read and full of wonderful examples of how Congressmen relate to their districts. Based upon Fenno's extensive travels with and interviews of eight different Congressmen, it is a must for anyone interested in understanding American politics.