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Echoes and Barriers: Staff as Key Actors in the Representative Process

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  • Meagan Cloutier

    (Department of Political Science, University of Calgary, Canada)

Abstract

Political staffers play a central but often overlooked role in shaping the representative relationship between members of parliament (MPs) and constituents. Drawing on constructivist theories of representation and original survey data from 366 Canadian federal MP staffers and 97 MPs, this article argues that staffers act both as “echoes,” amplifying constituent concerns, and “barriers,” filtering which concerns reach elected officials. Quantitative findings reveal that 78% of MPs trust staff discretion over constituent interactions, and two-thirds of staff report primarily interacting with constituents, often influencing information MPs receive by routinely selecting, synthesizing, and prioritizing constituent concerns. By mediating access, staffers structure the everyday work of representation, showing that representation is not solely an act of elected officials but is co-constructed by staff. This article advances representation theory by demonstrating that democratic representation is a dynamic, mediated process wherein unelected staff play a crucial role.

Suggested Citation

  • Meagan Cloutier, 2026. "Echoes and Barriers: Staff as Key Actors in the Representative Process," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 14.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v14:y:2026:a:10646
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.10646
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hertel-Fernandez, Alexander & Mildenberger, Matto & Stokes, Leah C., 2019. "Legislative Staff and Representation in Congress," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 113(1), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Hertel-Fernandez, Alexander & Mildenberger, Matto & Stokes, Leah C., 2019. "Legislative Staff and Representation in Congress – ERRATUM," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 113(2), pages 621-621, May.
    3. repec:cup:apsrev:v:113:y:2019:i:03:p:824-837_00 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Maria Maley, 2015. "The Policy Work of Australian Political Staff," International Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 46-55, January.
    5. Fossen, Thomas, 2019. "Constructivism and the Logic of Political Representation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 113(3), pages 824-837, August.
    6. Busby, Amy and Kheira, Belkacem, 2013. "Coping with the information overload': An exploration of assistants' backstage role in the everyday practice of European Parliament politics," European Integration online Papers (EIoP), European Community Studies Association Austria (ECSA-A), vol. 17, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gijs Jan Brandsma & Anna-Lena Högenauer, 2026. "Understanding the Role of Political Staff and Parliamentary Administrations," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 14.

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