MPs’ principals and the substantive representation of disadvantaged immigrant groups
Faculty/Professorship: | Political Sociology ; Comparative Politics |
Author(s): | Geese, Lucas ![]() |
Title of the Journal: | West European Politics |
ISSN: | 1743-9655 |
Publisher Information: | Basingstoke [u.a.] : Routledge, Taylor & Francis |
Year of publication: | 2019 |
Issue: | Published online: 15 Jan 2019 |
Pages: | Online-Ressource |
Language(s): | English |
DOI: | 10.1080/01402382.2018.1560196 |
Abstract: | This article provides an alternative understanding of the substantive representation of immigrant-origin citizens compared to previous work in the ‘politics of presence’ tradition. Rather than assuming that the representational activities of members of parliaments (MPs) are underpinned by intrinsic motivations, it highlights extrinsic motives. Drawing on principal–agent theory, the article conceptualises MPs as delegates who are to act on behalf of their main principals, constituents and party bodies. This approach permits the rigorous analysis of the impact of electoral rules, candidate selection methods and legislative organisation on substantive representation. Based on an analysis of more than 20,000 written parliamentary questions tabled in the 17th German Bundestag (2009–2013), empirical findings suggest that electoral rules do not influence the relationship between MPs and their principals in relation to the substantive representation of disadvantaged immigrant groups; however, results indicate that candidate selection methods as well as powerful parliamentary party group leaderships do. |
Keywords: | Substantive representation, immigrant-origin citizens, parliamentary questions, electoral rules, candidate selection |
Peer Reviewed: | Ja |
International Distribution: | Ja |
Type: | Article |
URI: | https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/45149 |
Year of publication: | 18. January 2019 |

originated at the
University of Bamberg
University of Bamberg