1. Blessing or Curse for Congruence? How Interest Mobilization Affects Congruence between Citizens and Elected Representatives
- Author
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Anne Rasmussen, I. De Bruycker, RS: FASoS PCE, and Political Science
- Subjects
Economics and Econometrics ,Civil society ,European Politics ,law and order ,EU politics ,representation ,Politikwissenschaft ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Europapolitik ,Interessengruppe ,pressure group ,Public opinion ,Representation (politics) ,Politics ,Political science ,Left-wing politics ,Business and International Management ,Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture ,media_common ,politische Willensbildung, politische Soziologie, politische Kultur ,Abgeordneter ,Curse ,European public policy ,congruence ,citizen ,Eurobarometer ,business.industry ,EU policy ,interest groups ,General Business, Management and Accounting ,Bürger ,EU-Politik ,öffentliche Ordnung ,representative ,Political economy ,ddc:320 ,öffentliche Meinung ,public opinion ,Political Science and International Relations ,european public policy ,Ideology ,EU ,business - Abstract
This article examines the role of interest mobilization in strengthening or weakening congruence between elected representatives and citizens on EU policy issues. It argues that the relationship between public opinion, interest groups and elected politicians can be theorized as a selective transmission process. We expect interest groups to strengthen congruence between citizens and elected representatives who share their ideological views. To test our hypotheses we conducted a content analysis of statements made in eight European news outlets on a sample of 13 policy issues and combined this with Eurobarometer polls. Our results indicate that elected representatives from leftist parties are more congruent with left-wing voters when civil society mobilizes, while the prevalence of corporate lobby groups strengthens congruence between rightist politicians and their constituents. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of interest groups in political representation and democratic governance. publishedVersion
- Published
- 2021
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