Members of Parliament (MPs) are often dismissed as “trained seals," helpless to do anything other than take commands from party leaders. In addition, survey data indicates that while Canadians feel MPs do an excellent job representing their political parties, they do a poor job of representing their constituents. Representation in Action challenges these views of Canadian MPs and shows that the ways they represent their constituents are as diverse as Canada itself. Royce Koop, Heather Bastedo, and Kelly Blidook examine the types of activities Members of Parliament engage in, both within their constituencies and in Ottawa, and they systemically determine what accounts for differences in style and agency. Drawing on original observational and interview research with eleven MPs and featuring detailed in-depth case studies, this book shows how MPs develop their own distinctive approaches to the role of representative when addressing policy concerns, assisting constituents with problems, and connecting with those who elect them. The first book to use intensive participant-observation methods to study Canadian MPs and representation, Representation in Action is a new and original account of how MPs interpret and do their jobs as representatives, and a compelling portrait of diversity in representational styles. | Representation in Action by Royce Koop, Paperback | Indigo Chapters