Essays on American Party Factions

This research investigates the role of American party factions in legislative affairs. In short, I argue that organized blocs of legislators manufacture party sub-brands to more effectively appeal to niche markets of donors and party activists. Institutionalized factions can efficiently capture valuable political resources to blunt significant instruments of party power. By establishing their own resource networks, factions loosen the bonds of two-party government and increase the likelihood of party infighting.