Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article develops the dynamic implications of the Miller-Stokes model of constituency representation by exploring the extent to which there was constancy between two “generations” of French Socialist party candidates for the National Assembly from the same constituencies, in their perceptions of the opinions of their constituents. The data derive from personal interviews conducted with the candidates shortly after the legislative elections of 1967 and 1978. The phenomena discussed include the relationship between constancy of candidate perceptions and accuracy of candidate perceptions. The authors also examine the extent to which the candidates base their perceptions of district opinion on the political composition of their constituencies. That practice has daunting implications both for the comparative study of representation and for the representative process itself.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Achen, C. H. (1978). Measuring representation: Perils of the correlation coefficient. American Political Science Review, 21, 805-815.

Butler, D. , & Stokes, D. (1969). Political change in Britain: Forces shaping electoral choice. New York: St. Martin's.

Charlot, M. (1988). The religious factor. In H. Penniman (Ed.), France at the polls, 1981 and 1986. Durham, NC: American Enterprise Institute/Duke University Press.

Clausen, A. R. (1977). The accuracy of leader perceptions of constituency views. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 2, 361-384.

Clubb, J. M. , Flanigan, W. H. , & Zingale, N. H. (1980). Partisan realignment: Voters, parties and government in American history. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

Converse, P. E. , & Pierce, R. (1986). Political representation in France. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Fenno, R. F. (1978). Homestyle: House members in their districts. Boston: Little, Brown.

Karps, P. D. (1978). Representation and political participation: What Nexus? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, New York, August 31-September 3.

Miller, W. E. , & Stokes, D. E. (1963). Constituency influence in Congress. American Political Science Review, 57, 45-56.

10.

Pierce, R. , & Rochon, T. R. (1984). Attitudinal change and elite circulation: French Socialist candidates in 1967 and 1978. American Journal of Political Science, 28, 379-398.

11.

Pierce, R. , & Rochon, T. R. (1988). The French Socialist victories of 1981 and the theory of elections. In H. Penniman (Ed.), France at the polls, 1981 and 1986. Durham, NC: American Enterprise Institute/Duke University Press.

12.

Pitkin, H. (1967). The concept of representation. Berkeley: University of California Press.

13.

Rabier, J. , & Inglehart, R. (1980). Euro-barometer 9: Employment and unemployment in Europe, April 1978 [Machine-readable data file]. Ann Arbor: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research.

14.

Wilson, F. (1988). When parties refuse to fail. In K. Lawson & P. Merkl (Eds.), When parties fail. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Constancy of Legislative Perceptions of Constituency Opinion

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References