In April 2011 Finns will elect 200 new [and old] MPs and by the time this course is taught the general election campaign will be in full swing. But what do MPs do, what do we want them to do and what are their priorities? Who do they represent? This comparative course examines the [changing] relationship between elected politicians and the citizens who voted for them. The central question is: 'Who do MPs think they represent and how do they go about the task of representing them?' In addition to distinguishing the representative roles of MPS, the discussion will include consideration of the impact of the 'digitalisation' of democracy - Facebooks, blogs and 'all that jazz' - on the relationship between politicians and the people.

Outcomes:

On completion of the course, students should

1) Have an understanding of the various roles of parliamentarians.
2) Have an insight into the incentives for parliamentarians to undertake 'constituency service'.
3) Have gained an appreciation of the changing relationship between elected politicians and the people in an era of digital democracy.

Compensates from VALTA4, 2 cr or VALTS2b, 4 cr.