Rehabilitating the Raters: An Assessment of Interest Group Ratings of Congress
- 1 March 1989
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Congress & the Presidency
- Vol. 16 (1) , 23-36
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07343468909507936
Abstract
This study examines the validity of interest group ratings of Congress during the period 1959 to 1981. The ratings themselves have been controversial. Many members of Congress find them to be distorted and unrepresentative. The arguments for and against ratings are examined in a dimensional context. Most interest group ratings load very highly on a single liberal-conservative dimension. Contrary to the arguments of rating critics, both single- and general-issue groups produce ratings which are representative of the underlying dimension, suggesting that on broad questions of political philosophy, most ratings are valid measures.Keywords
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