1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910954802803321

Autore

Grill Christopher J. <1965->

Titolo

The public side of representation : a study of citizens' views about representatives and the representative process / / Christopher J. Grill

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Albany, : State University of New York Press, c2007

ISBN

9780791479735

0791479730

9781435606432

1435606434

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (222 p.)

Disciplina

328.73/0734

Soggetti

Representative government and representation - United States - Public opinion

Public opinion - United States

United States Politics and government 1989- Public opinion

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-202) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front Matter -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction and Overview -- Research Methodology -- The Idea of Representation -- Representation in Practice -- The Representative Relationship -- Institutional Representation -- The Public Side of Representation -- Research Instruments -- Interview Excerpts -- Coding Tables -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Representation lies at the very heart of our political system, yet few attempts have been made to examine citizens' views about the representative process. The Public Side of Representation fills that void. Through a series of in-depth interviews, Christopher J. Grill explores people's abstract beliefs about representation, expectations for members of Congress, views on the representative-constituent relationship, and conceptions of Congress as an institution. The resulting analysis describes what the participants view as the essential building blocks of the representative process, depicts how they think representatives should make voting decisions, explains what they believe are the most important roles for members of Congress, and



appraises their understanding of the actual representative process. Highly readable and accessible, The Public Side of Representation provides greater insight into American politics, citizens' expectations about government, and the roots of public discontent with the contemporary political process.