Summary Of The Electoral Incentive By David Mayhew

In David Mayhew’s article: “The Electoral Incentive,” Mayhew argues that congressmen are consistently doing things everyday throughout their time in office so they can be reelected (Mayhew, 1974, pp. 137). However, Mayhew goes on to say, there are three main functions congressmen must follow if they want to be successful at reelection. The three functions he expresses is advertising, credit claiming, and position taking (Mayhew, 1974, pp. 137-139). Advertising is the idea that Congressmen must notify their constituents on a regular basis by means of sending out a post card, mass mailing, birthday card, and so forth if they want a chance at their seat to be secured (Mayhew, 1974, pp. 137). Successful Congressmen, not only advertise through these