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📜intro to political science review

Casework

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Casework refers to the process by which legislators, or their staff, assist individual constituents with issues or problems they are facing. This can include helping navigate government bureaucracies, advocating on their behalf, or connecting them with resources and services. Casework is an important function of legislatures, as it allows lawmakers to directly address the concerns and needs of the people they represent. It is a key way that legislators can demonstrate their responsiveness and commitment to serving their constituents.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Casework allows legislators to directly address the concerns and needs of their constituents, strengthening the connection between the people and their government.
  2. Legislators and their staff often assist constituents in navigating complex government bureaucracies and accessing important services and resources.
  3. Effective casework can help build trust and goodwill between legislators and their constituents, which can be politically advantageous.
  4. Casework can involve tasks such as intervening with federal agencies, securing government benefits, or resolving issues with local authorities.
  5. The time and resources dedicated to casework can be a significant part of a legislator's office budget and workload.

Review Questions

  • Explain how casework allows legislators to serve their constituents.
    • Casework enables legislators to directly address the concerns and needs of the individuals and communities they represent. By assisting constituents with issues they are facing, such as navigating government bureaucracies or accessing important services, legislators can demonstrate their responsiveness and commitment to serving their district. Effective casework can help build trust and goodwill between legislators and their constituents, which can be politically advantageous.
  • Describe the various ways in which legislators can provide casework services.
    • Legislators and their staff can engage in a wide range of casework activities to assist their constituents. This can include intervening with federal agencies on behalf of constituents, securing government benefits, resolving issues with local authorities, or connecting constituents with important resources and services. Casework can involve tasks such as advocating for constituents, navigating complex bureaucracies, or serving as an ombudsman to investigate and address individual complaints.
  • Analyze the significance of casework within the broader context of a legislature's responsibilities.
    • Casework is a crucial function of legislatures, as it allows lawmakers to directly address the concerns and needs of the people they represent. By engaging in casework, legislators can strengthen the connection between the government and the constituents, demonstrating their responsiveness and commitment to serving their district. Effective casework can also help build trust and goodwill, which can be politically beneficial. However, the time and resources dedicated to casework can be a significant part of a legislator's office budget and workload, requiring careful prioritization and management of legislative responsibilities.