Representing Europe's citizens : an analysis of political representation in the European Union

Abstract

This project investigates how well the EU functions as an instrument of political representation. It addresses five separate but intrinsically linked research questions: are citizens' perceptions of representation important in building evaluations of support for tbe EU? What explains variance in policy congruence between parties and their voters in the EU? Do European legislators respond to changes in the attitudes of the electorate? Is the participation of female politicians in the EU important for the substantive representation of women's interests? Do the policy priorities of the public in the EU correspond with the priorities of the parties they vote for in EP elections?