Roles of Representation – A Comparative Approach

Abstract

Perceptions of the process of representation have, at least in the European sphere, been largely influenced by the responsible party model, downplaying the role of individual politicians and emphasising the importance of unitary parties. This is, however, a far too simplistic view of representation, especially in majoritarian electoral systems or proportional systems that utilise preferential voting or STV. During recent years, the awareness of the contribution of MPs and candidates in shaping the link between representatives and their constituencies has increased. Consequently, there is a growing interest towards studying role conceptions of MPs, both from the point of view of representatives and citizens. It stands clear that role perceptions held by political elites and citizens alike might be highly influenced by institutional and contextual factors, such as electoral system. Expectedly, in PR electoral systems that allow for preferential voting, the personal link between MPs and voters is more apparent and the focus of representation may be regarded more multi-faceted than in the case of closed-list PR. Moreover, the congruence in MPs’ and citizens’ perception might have more pronounced implications for the legitimacy of the political system. We invite papers that examine MPs representational role, utilising either elite or citizen data or a combination of both. Comparative papers that consider the role of institutional-level factors are especially welcome.

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