Partisanship Quote by Larry M. Bartels
““the roll call votes cast by U.S. senators are much better accounted for by their own partisanship than by the preferences of their constituents. Moreover, insofar as constituents’ views do matter, political influence seems to be limited entirely to affluent and middle-class people. The opinions of millions of ordinary citizens in the bottom third of the income distribution have no discernible impact on the behavior of their elected representatives. These disparities in representation persist even after allowing for differences between high- and low-income citizens in turnout, political knowledge, and contact with public officials.””
About This Quote
Source Book: "Unequal Democracy" by Larry M. Bartels, 2016
The passage argues that U.S. Senate voting aligns more with partisan interests than constituents', and that affluent voters have disproportionate influence, marginalizing low‑income citizens.
In simple terms: Senate votes reflect party and wealth, not ordinary voters.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address unequal political influence.
Themes
democracy
inequality
representation
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
policy
critical
When to use this quote
- voter education
- campaign finance reform
- grassroots organizing
Key Concepts
political economy
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can low‑income voices gain impact?
- What reforms could reduce partisan dominance?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched power structures is difficult and slow.
