Justin Buchler, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Political Science at Case Western Reserve University

Dear Colleagues:

As a song in The King and I goes, “It’s a Puzzlement” The American political system seems heck-bent for yet another budgetary showdown between the Obama Administration and the House Republicans, with the Senate seemingly quivering in between. Any agreement requires that someone be able to negotiate and make agreements. It can be hard enough to figure out what the Administration wants. But does anyone really speak for congressional republicans? Can anyone “deliver”?

While non-Republicans may find it hard to muster sympathy for Speaker Boehner or Senator McConnell, their jobs – if they are not simply opposing things – are rather difficult. As part of their campaign against supposed corruption, leaders have given up the ability to buy votes (much) through earmarking benefits to districts. Members might worry much more about being “primaried” than about the leaders’ disapproval. Groups like the Heritage Foundation and Club for Growth issue scorecards on members’ ideological purity. Factions have to be managed and the leaders have few tools for management.

To make sense of all this we need an expert on Congress. Fortunately we have Professor Buchler, who will explore the problems and pressures and help us puzzle together.

All best regards,
Joe White
Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Policy Studies

About Our Guest

Justin Buchler studies elections, with an emphasis on legislative elections. He has written extensively about the effects of competitive elections on political institutions. His recently published book, Hiring and Firing Public Officials: Rethinking the Purpose of Elections (Oxford University Press), argues that we should think of elections as employment decisions rather than as markets. Thus, competitive elections do not indicate a healthy democracy, as market analogies suggest. Instead, they indicate a failure of democracy because competitive elections are a poor method of making employment decisions regarding public officials. Consequently, they create perverse incentives and unrepresentative outcomes. His published papers on the topic include “The Social Sub-Optimality of Competitive Elections” (in Public Choice), which received the 2007 Gordon Tullock Prize. His other papers on the topic focus on redistricting.

Currently, Justin Buchler writes about the use of spatial models to study elections. His papers address the role of party influence on candidate position-taking, as well as the impact of valence characteristics, such as competence and honesty.

In the past, he has also written about campaign finance, and published several pieces on voting technology.

Where We Meet

Mather House is located next to the Thwing student center two buildings to the right of Kelvin Smith Library on Euclid Avenue. Please enter the front door to Mather House and turn right. Mather House Room 100 is at the end of the hall. Please do not be bothered by the scaffolding currently over the entry door.

Parking Possibilities

The most convenient parking is the lot underneath Severance Hall. We regret that it is not free. From that lot there is an elevator up to street level labeled as for the Thwing Center.

Friday Lunch Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

October 4: China’s New Leadership After a Year. With Paul Schroeder, Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science. ***Alternate Location: Mather House Room 100***

October 11: “3D Printing” or Additive Manufacturing: What Is It, and What Could It Do? With Malcolm Cooke, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Executive Director of think(box). ***Alternate Location: Spartan Room, 3rd Floor of Thwing Center***

October 18: Patenting Genes. With Craig Nard, Tom J. E. and Bette Lou Walker Professor of Law, and Director, Center for Law, Technology, and the Arts.

October 25: Why Performance Enhancing Drugs Should be Legal in Sports. With Max Mehlman, Arthur E. Petersilge Professor of Law and Director of the Law-Medicine Center.

November 1: Press Freedom and the Edward Snowden Affair. With Jim Sheeler, Shirley Wormser Professor of Journalism and Media Writing.

November 8: Is It or Is It Not Cancer? Is That the Question? With Nathan A. Berger, Distinguished University Professor and Director, Center for Science, Health and Society.

November 15: The Opportunity Corridor and Beyond: Transportation Issues in University Circle. With Debbie Berry, Vice President of Development, University Circle Inc.

November 22: Economic Effects of Health Care Reform: The Massachusetts Experience. With Mark Votruba, Associate Professor of Economics.

November 29 : No Session – Thanksgiving Break

December 6: TBA