Book Description

An innovative approach to legislative study, this volume views the Kansas legislature from the perspective of organization theory. Authors Marvin A. Harder and Raymond G. Davis examine the technical and procedural aspects of the legislature that most scholars have overlooked. They provide a careful, precise, theoretical study of the organization and structure, administrative and staff relationships, and formal processes of the legislature. Applying the concepts of organization theory, Harder and Davis describe and analyze how the Kansas legislature works. They cover the legislative staff, the networks of communication and socialization, the role of leadership, the committees, and the legislative functions of lawmaking and of overseeing. They also discuss recent changes in the legislature and give a profile of the legislators. This book breaks new ground by focusing on organization theory, rather than political analysis, to explain the dynamics of legislative operations. Of particular value to Kansas legislators and students of Kansas legislative process, it will also contribute to the general literature about American legislative institutions.