Hi Sheril, as a policy guy I tend to agree with the comments. This article is a “so what”! If the majority want to eliminate speed limits to the detriment of society we should do it? No where in the two articles you use does it say it produces bad policy. Being “privileged” doesn’t make you stupid or bad. For future articles can you please provide direct contact info for the authors, not all of us have academic access to the sources and I know the authors will provide the articles directly for free.
Hi Bruce, This post covered research specifically related to whether politicians and staffers have an accurate perspective of their constituents preferences. Whether they should listen to them is a different topic, but certainly an idea for a future post worth exploring.
I know limited access due of paywalls is frustrating. However, I don’t know these authors personally, so I don’t think I should share their contact info directly.
Hi Shadow, It’s an interesting question. I don’t know of any research personally, but suspect that would be very difficult to study. Some members - especially those assured of re-election - may openly discuss it.
Indeed, we have "come to expect that the people working in Congress will represent us..." but what about the Burkean adage that our representatives owes us their judgment, not subservience to the popular will? If, after all, politicians and their staff simply represent their constituents' (often ill-informed) demands, we might as well as government by Survey Monkey, no?
Hi James, This post focused solely on research related to whether politicians and staffers are aware of what constituents want. You’re touching on something related, but distinct. Should they make choices based on popular preferences? Certainly worth exploring. Perhaps in a future post and discussion.
Hi Sheril, as a policy guy I tend to agree with the comments. This article is a “so what”! If the majority want to eliminate speed limits to the detriment of society we should do it? No where in the two articles you use does it say it produces bad policy. Being “privileged” doesn’t make you stupid or bad. For future articles can you please provide direct contact info for the authors, not all of us have academic access to the sources and I know the authors will provide the articles directly for free.
Hi Bruce, This post covered research specifically related to whether politicians and staffers have an accurate perspective of their constituents preferences. Whether they should listen to them is a different topic, but certainly an idea for a future post worth exploring.
I know limited access due of paywalls is frustrating. However, I don’t know these authors personally, so I don’t think I should share their contact info directly.
Is there research on politicians expressesing that they know they dont represent, but doing it anyway bc its right?
Hi Shadow, It’s an interesting question. I don’t know of any research personally, but suspect that would be very difficult to study. Some members - especially those assured of re-election - may openly discuss it.
Indeed, we have "come to expect that the people working in Congress will represent us..." but what about the Burkean adage that our representatives owes us their judgment, not subservience to the popular will? If, after all, politicians and their staff simply represent their constituents' (often ill-informed) demands, we might as well as government by Survey Monkey, no?
Hi James, This post focused solely on research related to whether politicians and staffers are aware of what constituents want. You’re touching on something related, but distinct. Should they make choices based on popular preferences? Certainly worth exploring. Perhaps in a future post and discussion.