Theories of the Influence of Congressional Party Leadership

• Conditional party government theory - Preference homogeneity within the party, and preference conflict with the opposition will lead to strong, centralized party leadership. (Rohde, 1991)
  
  
• Pivotal voter theory - Impact of party leadership is minimal. Legislative outcomes are driven by the preferences of the members, specifically the pivotal (or median) voter. (Krehbiel, 1998)