In person icon Bridging the Gap: Bringing Studies of Political Representatives and Studies of Citizens into Dialogue

Abstract

Reconciling the perspectives of represented citizens and their representatives is crucial for understanding the dynamics of contemporary democracy. This panel explores the interplay between elected officials’ perceptions, ambitions, and experiences, and the expectations and behaviours of the represented citizens. Papers examine electoral harassment and its consequences, biases in politicians’ perceptions of public opinion, and the complexities of political ambition. Additional contributions analyse the challenges faced by young representatives and the connection between policy responsiveness and politicians’ accuracy in estimating public sentiment. By bridging studies of citizens and representatives, the panel provides a more integrated perspective on contemporary democratic representation.

Title	Details
Reconciling Literature on Policy Responsiveness and the Accuracy of Politicians' Estimations of Public Opinion	View Paper Details
Electoral Harassment in Britain: Sources, Victims, Effects, 2017-2024	View Paper Details
Are Politicians’ Perceptions of Public Opinion Biased Towards the Opinions of the Politically Active?	View Paper Details
Expectation Vs Reality: Being a Young Representative in the House of Commons	View Paper Details
Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of Political Ambition: A Systematic Review	View Paper Details