This document discusses different views that citizens hold about Congress. It claims that citizens believe Congress is wasteful, gridlocked, untrustworthy, and influenced by money and lobbyists rather than constituents. It also outlines different models of representation in Congress, including the delegate and trustee roles that rely on constituent opinion as well as personal judgment, and other forms like formalistic, symbolic, descriptive, and substantive representation.

1. POL 375
Spring 2018

5.  “Legislators Are a Bunch of Crooks”
 “There’sToo MuchWasteful, Pork-Barrel Spending by Congress”
 “Legislators Just Bicker and Never Get Anything Done”
 “You Can’tTrust What Members of Congress Say”
 “Congress Almost Seems Designed to Promote Gridlock”
 “Members of Congress CompromiseToo Much”
 “There’sToo Much Money in Politics Today”
 “Members Are Out ofTouch withTheir Constituents”
 “Congress is Run By Lobbyists and Special Interests”

10. CLASSIC FORMS
 Delegate
 Constituent Opinion
 Trustee
 Constituent Opinion
 Personal Judgment
OTHER FORMS
 Formalistic
 Policy Representation
 Allocative Representation
 Casework
 Symbolic
 PositiveValues about Govt.
 Descriptive
 Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
 Substantive
 Advocate Groups in Society