Abstract

I develop a theory that shows partisan manipulation of dimensionality in the U.S. Congress. The Party leadership manipulates the dimensional structure of legislation in order to construct easier voting coalitions, to avoid ugly defeats, and ultimately to build a clearer party brand name. Specifically, when the party considers certain legislation to be important for partisan purpose, it designs a restrictive rule in a way that makes the liberal-conservative dimension prevail on the floor. This party manipulation of dimensionality consequently leads to party polarization, which suggest that party polarization has been somewhat purposely inflated by our elites in government.