The institutionalization of the United States Senate, 1789-1996

Abstract

The research presented here fills a gap in the congressional literature by documenting the historical institutionalization of the U.S. Senate. After an extensive review of the institutionalization literature in Chapter Two, Chapters Three through Six qualitatively document the Senate's institutionalization over four chronological time periods: 1789-1860; 1861-1900; 1901-1946; 1947-1996. Using both primary and secondary sources, these chapters provide a comprehensive historical analysis of Senate development, covering key aspects such as committees, leaders, personnel and operations. Chapters Seven and Eight chart the Senate's institutionalization in a more systematic manner. Chapter Seven presents multiple indicators for each of four components of institutionalization: adaptability; autonomy; complexity; and coherence. Chapter Eight then models the process of Senate institutionalization. Using ordinary least squares and weighted least squares regression, it tests the model for each component of institutionalization. Political party opposition in the presidency, federal government activity, the Seventeenth Amendment and continuous majority control of the Senate by one political party all prove significant in one or more components of Senate institutionalization. Chapter Nine summarizes the Senate institutionalization process, and suggests how the Senate's post-World War II "transformation" fits into this larger, historical process.