This paper focuses on the impact that candidate selection methods have on mass-elite congruence. Acknowledging the fact that candidate selection methods, the level at which this selection happens within the party, and the authorities who are in charge of that selection vary according to parties, this paper will attempt to measure the impact selection methods have on mass-elites issue congruence in Belgium. Using the typology developed by Rahat and Hazan in 2010, the main hypothesis of this paper is that when selection methods are exclusive and centralized, mass-elites issue congruence is strengthened. Conversely, the more inclusive and decentralized candidate selection, the weaker mass-elites issue congruence. The paper will focus on the case of Belgium, analyzing mass-elites congruence of the main political parties using data from both BNES and ESS voter surveys 2010 and CCS candidate survey 2010. Selection methods will be identified using the Candidate Survey 2010 as well as an analysis of the Belgian political parties statutes.
Data: ESS R5 2010, BNES 2010 and CCS 2010
Methodology: uni and multi variate analysis
