“We can help and it doesn’t cost you a cracker”: the multidimensionality of service representation in Australia and New Zealand

IF 1.2 4区社会学 Q3 POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science Pub Date : 2022-09-02 DOI:10.1080/00323187.2023.2208589

Kelly Blidook, Royce Koop

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT Service representation – the extent to which Members of Parliament (MPs) assist constituents with problems they have related to the government – is an increasingly important role of MPs in developed democracies. We explore the practice of service representation through comparison of the service orientations and activities of two MPs in different countries, New Zealand and Australia, observed during periods of participant observation with them in their electorates. Constructing service connections between MPs and their constituents is often a crucial aspect of MPs’ overall representational styles. Our comparisons in this research depict the multi-dimensionality of service representation with respect to MPs’ emphasis on service, the nature of their service activities, and in the factors that shape those activities. The democratic implications of our comparisons are also addressed. Deep exploration of only two cases is used in this research to develop theoretical understanding to inform future analysis of service representation and its increasing importance in the overall representational and democratic process.

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“我们可以提供帮助，而且不会花你一分钱”：澳大利亚和新西兰服务代表的多维性

摘要服务代表——国会议员在多大程度上帮助选民解决与政府有关的问题——是发达民主国家中国会议员日益重要的角色。我们通过比较新西兰和澳大利亚这两个不同国家的议员在与他们的选民进行参与者观察期间观察到的服务取向和活动，探讨了服务代表的做法。在议员及其选民之间建立服务联系往往是议员整体代表风格的一个关键方面。我们在本研究中的比较描绘了服务代表的多维性，涉及议员对服务的重视、他们服务活动的性质以及塑造这些活动的因素。我们的比较也涉及民主问题。本研究仅对两个案例进行了深入探索，以发展理论理解，为未来分析服务代表及其在整个代表和民主过程中日益重要的意义提供信息。

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来源期刊

Political Science POLITICAL SCIENCE-

CiteScore

0.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Political Science publishes high quality original scholarly works in the broad field of political science. Submission of articles with a regional focus on New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific is particularly encouraged, but content is not limited to this focus. Contributions are invited from across the political science discipline, including from the fields of international relations, comparative politics, political theory and public administration. Proposals for collections of articles on a common theme or debate to be published as special issues are welcome, as well as individual submissions.