Cultivating Congress

"What a superb book--not only about how agricultural policy is made but also about fundamental changes in the way Congress now works, irrespective of policy domain. No one has a more complete fix on how Washington works today than Bill Browne. His book is a real winner."--James T. Bonnen, past president, American Agricultural Economics Association"Browne provides a remarkable and incisive analysis and guide to the new world of a post-reform Congress. This unique and engaging book is directly relevant and useful to any observer of Congress. It is simply the best analysis of the fundamental changes now engulfing agricultural and rural development policy."--Louis Swanson, editor of Agricultural Policy and the Environment"An ambitious and excellent book that vividly reflects Browne's remarkable access to members of Congress, their staffs, and other players in the agricultural policy domain. It will be widely read by students, scholars, and activists."--Frank Baumgartner, coauthor of Agendas and Instability in American Politics"Cultivating Congress is an indispensable tool for understanding how Congress works. Browne has done a brilliant job. For those with particular interest in agriculture, this book is invaluable."--Cornelia Butler Flora, coeditor of Rural Policies for the 1990s"A major contribution to the literature. Browne sees things with fresh eyes, his insights are substantial and useful, and his basic findings on 'local concerns' are very important."--Burdett Loomis, coeditor of Interest Group Politics and author of The New American Politician "In all, Cultivating Congress provides a complex and interesting picture of agriculture policymaking that challenges 'what everyone knows' about farm politics."--Congress & the Presidency"His analysis is remarkably comprehensive, particularly in its examination of the role of individual members and their staffs in the policy-making process. This is an excellent book that will find a well deserved place in the literature of congressional policy making, interest groups, and agricultural policy."--Political Science Quarterly"An important contribution to the literature on interest groups, networks, iron triangles, policy domains, policy dynamics, committees, congressional staffs, and Congress-agency and district-Washington relationships."--Perspectives on Political Science"As a whole, Cultivating Congress is an excellent book."--Public Administration and Management"Will appeal to agricultural economists and historians, political scientists, and those who wish to understand more fully how Congress functions."--Choice"Browne's volume is must reading for those interested in agriculture policy, and should be high on the list of scholars interested in congressional and interest group politics."--Policy Currents