This book is a product of the CIUPARCRI research project (Citizenship and parliamentarians in times of crisis and democratic renewal: the comparative case of Spain in the context of southern Europe), directed by the editors of the book and linked to the Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Of the 30 people who contribute to the book, 10 belong to the Politics, Territory and Participation (PTyP) group, and academics of international prestige are incorporated.
The book analyzes what the Spanish parliamentary elites are like, how they have changed over the last decade, and to what extent they resemble the citizens they represent. It also includes a comparative dimension with southern European countries (Italy, Greece and Portugal). Throughout 18 chapters, the impact of the Great Recession on the configuration of parliaments and the diversity of representatives is studied, and, in particular, whether the emergence of new parties has led to a change in representativeness in demographic (gender, age or social class), ideological or attitudinal terms. The analyses put forward by the different contributions are based on two surveys conducted simultaneously in 2018 to parliamentarians (Congress and Senate as well as the 17 autonomous parliaments) and citizens. Comparing the results of both surveys and with data from similar surveys conducted a decade ago, the book examines the changes that have occurred in representation during the course of the Great Recession and provides evidence on the growing gap between citizens and their representatives, which manifests itself in the form of a political crisis resulting in disaffection and distrust towards representatives. In addition, using data from the Comparative Candidates Survey, the book compares the ideological congruence between citizens and their representatives in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, countries whose democracies have come under severe pressure from the consequences of the Great Recession.
In its conclusions, the book points out three hypotheses that explain why, despite Spain’s good scores in international rankings of democracies, citizens are so dissatisfied with it. The first possible explanation is the result of the institutional distance that exists in the complexities of decision-making in the political system, which leads to a lack of knowledge and understanding. The second hypothesis is the one that puts ideological differences between parliamentarians and citizens as an explanation. The third answer to the question points to the possible reluctance on the part of people who are “inside” the system (the institutions) to provide “outsiders” with opportunities to influence decision-making, beyond elections, which are the institutionally recognized moment for citizens to have a chance to influence.