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  4. Gerrymandering in the United States: Evolution, Measurement, and Political Consequences

Gerrymandering in the United States: Evolution, Measurement, and Political Consequences

File(s)
Zhu_cornellgrad_0058F_14349.pdf (36.11 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/yym3-7v64
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/116642
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Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Zhu, Zhiyang
Abstract

This dissertation investigates the multifaceted issue of gerrymandering in the United States through three interconnected studies. The first study reviews the historical evolution of gerrymandering, assessing its origins, development, and the contemporary political and legal efforts to mitigate its impact. The second study evaluates quantitative measures like the efficiency gap and mean-median difference, highlighting significant flaws and limitations in their current implementations. The third study explores the relationship between gerrymandering and the rise of safe partisan congressional seats, attributing this phenomenon primarily to changes in political geography and voter behavior rather than gerrymandering itself. Together, these studies provide a comprehensive analysis of gerrymandering's historical context, methodological challenges, and contemporary implications, contributing to the discourse on electoral fairness and redistricting reforms.

Description
235 pages
Date Issued
2024-08
Keywords
Congress
•
Efficiency Gap
•
Election
•
Polarization
•
Redistricting
Committee Chair
Sanders, Seth
Committee Member
Coate, Stephen
Enns, Peter
Battaglini, Marco
Degree Discipline
Economics
Degree Name
Ph. D., Economics
Degree Level
Doctor of Philosophy
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/16612022
https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/16612022

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