Visions of democracy: what citizens and elite actually think of democratic representation

The principle that elected representatives’ preferences should align with those of their constituents is central to democracy. While research has shown high levels of mass-elite congruence on policy issues, less attention has been paid to how voters and representatives perceive the nature of representation itself. Key questions remain about how officials should perform their duties, whom they should prioritize, and what criteria they should use in decision-making. Existing evidence on these questions is mixed. Studies highlight differences in party cohesion, constituency focus, styles of representation, and descriptive similarity. Socio-economic background influences attitudes toward representation, but public preferences often contain internal contradictions. Moreover, much of the research is limited to single-country analyses, restricting the broader applicability of findings. To address these gaps, our study conducts a comparative mass-elite survey on representational preferences in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom. We examine key issues such as the role of representatives, the groups they should prioritize, and the classic trustee vs. delegate debate. By assessing whether mass and elite attitudes converge across these dimensions, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of political representation in Europe. Our findings will offer valuable insights for scholars and policymakers concerned with democratic governance and the evolving relationship between the public and their representatives.