Congressman Localstuff always votes for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S.
ID: 1223818 • Letter: C
Question
Congressman Localstuff always votes for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He also always votes for spending bills supported by the leadership of his political party. Is this rational? Congressman Localstuff's constituents probably are like most voters who favor a balanced budget and oppose deficit spending. Votes of the first type are politically popular back home; however, in Washington, power and influence are generally determined by party leadership. Voting for spending bills supported by this leadership will allow Congressman Localstuff to advance in the Washington power circle (appointment to key committees, committee chairmanships, etc.).
Explanation / Answer
When a person undertakes action that maximizes his utility, it is said that he is acting in rational manner.
When Congressman Localstuff votes for a balanced budget amendment to the US constitution, he is maximizing his utility with respect to support he can derive politically in his constituency. Generally, most of the voters prefer balanced budget rather than deficit budget as deficit budget leads to debt which raise concerns about future taxes leading to fall in future disposable income and living standards.
So, when Congressman Localstuff supports balanced budget amendment he is displaying to his constituents that he is taking into account their view and concern and thus is able to keep their support which is necessary for re-election.
This way he is maximizing his utility (ability to re-elect).
On the other hand, when he votes for spending bill then also he is acting rationally as such votes (which way to vote) are decided in party forum and party leadership made exclusive decisions. By aligning with party leadership, Congressman Localstuff is displaying his loyalty to party leaders and party itself thereby improving his chances of getting upward in party circles and get beneficial position in power hierarchy at Capital.
This way he maximizes his utility (improving his position in power circles) and thus is acting rational.
So, even though two situations are contradictory then also Congressman Localstuff is behaving rationally because each of his action enables him to maximize his utility with respect to individual situation and any action that enables a person to maximize his utility is a rational action.