The Public Side of Representation () von Christopher J. Grill

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction and Overview

A Crisis of Representation?
The Missing Public
A Different Approach

2. Research Methodology

Introduction
Approaching the Subject
The Research Process:Instrument and Interviews
The Research Process:Coding and Analysis
Profile of Respondents
The Idea of Political Sophistication
Conclusion

3. The Idea of Representation

Introduction
The Nature of Responsiveness:Preface
Attentiveness
Openness and Accessibility
Involvement:Visibility and Direct Contact
Communication:The Heart of Representation
Concluding Remarks

4. Representation in Practice

Introduction
Communication:Opportunities and Pitfalls
Making Voting Decisions:The Hypotheticals
Resolving Decision-Making Dilemmas
Vital Representational Functions:Explanation and Education
Assessment:Fenno, With Some Twists

5. The Representative Relationship

Introduction
Representatives Defined
Members’ Job Obligations
Role Expectations:The Rank Scales
Assessment
Representatives as Political Models?
“A Tough Job”:Being a Representative
Members’ Burdens:The Inherent Conflicts of Representation
The Balancing Act of Representation
Concluding Remarks

6. Institutional Representation
Introduction
Conceptions of Congress
Institutional Roles:The Rank Scales
Assessment
View of the Congressional Democratic Process
The State of the Representative Process
Improving the Representative Process
Conclusion:Conceptualizing Congress

7. The Public Side of Representation

Revisiting the Idea of Representation:Insights and Implications
Institutional Representation
Surprising Sensitivity—and Blind Spots
Public Beliefs and the Representative Process
Some Final Thoughts

APPENDIX A Research Instruments
APPENDIX B Interview Excerpts
APPENDIX C Coding Tables

Notes
Bibliography
Index