1. Representation Continued: Constituent Relations

2. Group Questions Why would anyone run for Congress?
Given those motivations, how can we the people ensure that members of Congress pay attention to their constituents?

3. Why would someone run for Congress?
Patriotism
Power and ego
Policy goals
Political career ambition

4. How can you ensure that MC’s pay attention to their constituents?
Choose people of good character
Strict anti-corruption rules
Align their personal interests with the interests of their constituents

5. The re-election motive
Must get re-elected to further any other goals
Must act in ways that will get them re-elected

6. Considerations Who will vote for you? Who will oppose you?
What can you do to help keep your job?

7. Fenno’s four constituencies:
Who will vote for you?
Fenno’s four constituencies:
Geographic
Re-election
Primary
Personal

8. Who does an MC worry most about?
Potential opponents
Balance Attentive and Inattentive publics

9. So what do they do?
Allocation of resources
Staff
Budget
Time

10. So what do they do? Allocation of resources Particularized benefits
Explaining
Advertising
Credit Claiming
Position Taking

11. Given re-election motive, Congress as an institution will…
Be an ombudsman
Expresses constituency preferences, not necessarily national preferences
Engage more often in legislative activities that help re-election Legislation will contain particularized benefits
Serve organized groups more than unorganized groups
Express symbolic policy preferences, not necessarily follow through