Divided government
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In the United States, divided government describes a situation in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress. Divided government is suggested by some to be an undesirable product of the separation of powers in the United States' political system. Earlier in the 20th century, divided government was rare. In recent years, however, it has become common.
Unified and Divided Party Control of Government in the United States. D and R denotes for the Democratic Party (United States) and Republican party (United States) respectively.
| Year | President | Senate | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901-1903 | R | R | R |
| 1903-1905 | R | R | R |
| 1905-1907 | R | R | R |
| 1907-1909 | R | R | R |
| 1909-1911 | R | R | R |
| 1911-1913 | R | R | D |
| 1913-1915 | D | D | D |
| 1915-1917 | D | D | D |
| 1917-1919 | D | D | D |
| 1919-1921 | D | R | R |
| 1921-1923 | R | R | R |
| 1923-1925 | R | R | R |
| 1925-1927 | R | R | R |
| 1927-1929 | R | R | R |
| 1929-1931 | R | R | R |
| 1931-1933 | R | R | D |
| 1933-1935 | D | D | D |
| 1935-1937 | D | D | D |
| 1937-1939 | D | D | D |
| 1939-1941 | D | D | D |
| 1941-1943 | D | D | D |
| 1943-1945 | D | D | D |
| 1945-1947 | D | D | D |
| 1947-1949 | D | R | R |
| 1949-1951 | D | D | D |
| 1951-1953 | D | D | D |
| 1953-1955 | R | R | R |
| 1955-1957 | R | D | D |
| 1957-1959 | R | D | D |
| 1959-1961 | R | D | D |
| 1961-1963 | D | D | D |
| 1963-1965 | D | D | D |
| 1965-1967 | D | D | D |
| 1967-1969 | D | D | D |
| 1969-1971 | R | D | D |
| 1971-1973 | R | D | D |
| 1973-1975 | R | D | D |
| 1975-1977 | R | D | D |
| 1977-1979 | D | D | D |
| 1979-1981 | D | D | D |
| 1981-1983 | R | R | D |
| 1983-1985 | R | R | D |
| 1985-1987 | R | R | D |
| 1987-1989 | R | D | D |
| 1989-1991 | R | D | D |
| 1991-1993 | R | D | D |
| 1993-1995 | D | D | D |
| 1995-1997 | D | R | R |
| 1997-1999 | D | R | R |
| 1999-2001 | D | R | R |
| 2001-2003 | R | D | R |
| 2003-2005 | R | R | R |
| 2005-2007 | R | R | R |
| 2007-2009 | R | D | D |
In Parliamentary systems such as the United Kingdom, the executive relies on Parliamentary support for its existence. In the United States, however, the constitution is designed to create conflict between the executive and legislative branches of government.
Despite the perceived problems of divided government, the President and Congress are often able, out of necessity, to establish an effective working relationship.
