ABSTRACT
The discussion about career choices and legislative institutionalization is central in the debate about legislative politics. The argument is straightforward: legislators will run for reelection when they profit from being a member of Congress. In other words, if legislators are enticed by reelection, they will work to strengthen and professionalize the legislative branch and increase their own power in the policy-making power. Hence, career paths and Congress institutionalization are intertwined. In addition, this line of argument posits that more competent legislators will be rewarded with votes in elections, increasing the quality of representation in the legislative branch; that is, being responsive to voters’ demands pays off.
