Direct and Indirect Representation. Issue 3 (13th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hirano, Shigeo; Ting, Michael M.
• Is Part Of: British journal of political science. Volume 45:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 609
• Page End: 634
• Publication Date: 2014-02-13
• Subjects: Political science -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007123413000392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1234

Abstract

Abstract : How much can a constituency influence the power of its representative in the legislature? This article develops a theoretical model of the constituency basis of legislator influence. The key players in the model are interest groups that may receive targeted transfers from the legislature. The model predicts that the amount of transfers that such groups receive is increasing in their ability to help a party win a legislative seat in the next election. This claim is tested using the changes in Japanese central-to-municipality transfers after a representative passes away while in office. The study finds that electorally 'strong' constituency groups do not lose transfers when they lose their representatives. However when 'weak' constituency groups lose their representatives, the transfers decrease.