• Meartz, Paul D. 1993. Clout. Dakota Alliance 3 (August): 2-3; 1999. http://www.online.masu.nodak.edu/divisions/hssdiv/meartz/writing/clout.htm

Clout

Paul D. Meartz [Mayville State University]

(Washington) A new study by Time Magazine and Roll Call, a Washington, DC newspaper, finds that North Dakota ranks fifth in "political clout" in the Congress of the United States. Using Roll Call's formula, Time has calculated a clout index that yields some inter- esting results. [See 1993. 64 Men, 1 Vote. Time (June 21): 14.]

The "Congressional Clout per Capita Index" is based on the assignment of power values to differing aspects of the political process in the Congress. While in the House of Representatives people are represented with approximate equality, they are not so repre- sented in the Senate. Every state has two senators. Time and Roll Call also factor in the effects of factors such as "seniority, committee chairmanships, committee assign- ments.." and other items.

Clearly the upper plains states for a block of disproportionate power [See map]. They are joined by several other small population places.

Time was spurred to include the data from which I produced this map by the fact that the national press reacted badly to Lani Guinier's research paper(s) suggesting that voting systems be altered to assist minorities and other under- represented groups in their access to political power. The most publicized of these was an example that allowed redefinition of the meaning of majority, from the normal fifty percent plus one to a higher percentage figure. The raised figure would force powerful groups to deal with minorities and others in order to pass legislation.

Time's point is that the country informally does this at this time. The beneficiaries are the small population states like Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, and others. California, Texas, Florida, and New York are the bottom listed states. Time's title for the article was "64 Men, 1 Vote." This emphasizes that "one Mon- tanan is worth 64 Califor- nians." Of course, one North Dakotan is worth only 17.5 Californians.

If you talk about the "two per state" rule in Article I of Constitution, this piece of geography can be of use to you as a discussion vehicle. Small population states were given a special position so that they would vote for the Constitution without fear of the large population states having dominion over them. They got a lasting deal.

Time-Roll Call Clout Per Capita Index Adjusts for Senate Representation, Seniority, Chairs, Etc.
Source: 1993. 64 Men, 1 Vote. Time (June 21): 14.