(print) xiii, 170 p. ; 23 cm

List of Illustrations vii -- List of Tables ix -- Preface xi -- Introduction : Definitions and Background 1 -- Part One Rational Decision Making in U.S. Legislative Committee Systems 11 -- 1 Understanding Individual Preferences in a Committee 13 -- 2 The Internal Forces for Decentralized Agenda Setting in American Legislative Committee Systems 20 -- 3 Party Leadership, Party Caucuses, and Standing Committees : Why Committee Outcomes Are Preferred in the United States 37 -- 4 Does Decentralized Agenda Setting Pay Dividends? 52 -- Part Two Lifestyle and Career-Pattern Influences 67 -- 5 Costs and Benefits of Legislative Service 69 -- 6 Self-interest and Legislative Turnover 82 -- Part Three Explorations in Efficiency and Reform 95 -- 7 Risk, Efficiency, and Adaptation in Committee Decision Making 97 -- 8 Committee System Optimalities : Size Preferences and Member Adaptation 106 -- 9 Representation and the Reduction of Complexity in Lawmaking 122 -- 10 The Complex Committee Game 143 -- Appendix : Survey Information 153 -- Bibliography 159 -- Index 165