ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the effects both of partisanship and of regimes on budgetary spending patterns. It reviews the literature on partisan budgeting and discusses the implication of regime composition effects. Regime composition is indicated by the patterns of Republican or Democratic control of the elected institutions. Research has uncovered distinguishable patterns of budget decision making that vary in regard to presidential budget estimates, to congressional appropriations, and to final government expenditures. The unit of analysis is the rate of change between years for each function. The analysis compares presidential election-year spending with the other three years with some techniques; with others it analyzes each year separately. The chapter discusses theoretical reasons why regime composition affects spending, inferences that may be drawn from the analysis, and the importance of the debate on regime effects. In summary, studies find estimates, appropriations, and expenditures to follow the pattern of the electoral cycle.
