Divided, we govern1. When Mayhew talks about divided government, he means that the 2 parties in control divide the government, with one party primarily in control at a time.2. Conventional wisdom assumes that the U.S. government functions most effectively when one party controls both the presidency and Congress, but divided government is increasingly becoming the norm. The author examines this issue and concludes that single-party control has made little difference.3. Even if important laws were passed just as often under conditions of divided party control, might they not be worse laws? Isn’t “seriously flawed legislation” a more likely outcome? The establishment of coalitions under divided control may be less likely to include clear objectives or effective means in their statutes. Even if important individual laws can be passed regardless of party conditions, what about “program consistency” between laws? Consistency exists in the eyes of the beholder. Doesn't government administration suffer from divided party control? It is not exaggerated to pull and carry...