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Economic Interests and Congressional Voting on Security Issues

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  • Benjamin O. Fordham

    (Department of Political Science, Binghamton University (SUNY))

Abstract

Most research on congressional consideration of foreign and defense policy concludes that ideology is the most important influence on roll-call voting and that constituent economic interests are not very important. This article challenges this conclusion on two grounds. First, most previous research conceives of constituent economic interests on these issues very narrowly, examining only the benefits constituents obtain from providing military goods and services rather than their economic stakes in the broader goals of national security policy. Second, the effect of ideology on congressional voting has changed enormously over time, a fact that poses difficulties for research that has stressed this consideration. The effects of broader economic interests and the changing implications of ideology are tested using a sample of key Senate votes on military resource allocation, intervention, and foreign aid from 1947 through 2000.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin O. Fordham, 2008. "Economic Interests and Congressional Voting on Security Issues," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 52(5), pages 623-640, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:52:y:2008:i:5:p:623-640
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002708320542
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rosella Cappella Zielinski & Benjamin O Fordham & Kaija E Schilde, 2017. "What goes up, must come down? The asymmetric effects of economic growth and international threat on military spending," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 54(6), pages 791-805, November.
    2. Stadelmann, David & Portmann, Marco & Eichenberger, Reiner, 2015. "Military careers of politicians matter for national security policy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 142-156.
    3. Brender, Agnes, 2018. "Government Ideology and Arms Exports," ILE Working Paper Series 21, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.

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