Individualization of MPs’ Behavior: More than Campaign Talk?

The literature suggests that increasing shares of representatives take a more individualized approach to politics even in traditional party democracies. According to Zittel and Gschwend (2008) campaigning is the most likely arena where this orientation plays out. In this paper we take the analysis one step further into the parliamentary arena. Written parliamentary questions provide the most suitable tool for Austrian MPs who want to establish an individualized parliamentary record. Using data from three recent elite surveys we find a positive relationship between the use of regional campaign issues and the number of constituency-related questions during the subsequent legislative term.