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The Member for Cyberspace: E-Representation and MPs in the UK

The Member for Cyberspace: E-Representation and MPs in the UK

Nigel Jackson, Darren G. Lilleker
Copyright: © 2012 |Pages: 16
ISBN13: 9781613503294|ISBN10: 1613503296|EISBN13: 9781613503300
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-329-4.ch005
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MLA

Jackson, Nigel, and Darren G. Lilleker. "The Member for Cyberspace: E-Representation and MPs in the UK." E-Parliament and ICT-Based Legislation: Concept, Experiences and Lessons, edited by Mehmet Zahid Sobaci, IGI Global, 2012, pp. 64-79. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61350-329-4.ch005

APA

Jackson, N. & Lilleker, D. G. (2012). The Member for Cyberspace: E-Representation and MPs in the UK. In M. Sobaci (Ed.), E-Parliament and ICT-Based Legislation: Concept, Experiences and Lessons (pp. 64-79). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61350-329-4.ch005

Chicago

Jackson, Nigel, and Darren G. Lilleker. "The Member for Cyberspace: E-Representation and MPs in the UK." In E-Parliament and ICT-Based Legislation: Concept, Experiences and Lessons, edited by Mehmet Zahid Sobaci, 64-79. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2012. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61350-329-4.ch005

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Abstract

This chapter offers a framework for considering whether the Internet might be facilitating the evolution of e-representation. The chapter starts by considering the meaning of representation; it then considers what factors influence changes in the concept of representation. We argue that, potentially, the Internet may be facilitating a model of representation based not on the geographic constituency, but upon common interest. The chapter assesses the use of four Internet modalities by UK Members of Parliaments (MPs): websites, e-newsletters, weblogs, and social networking sites. We suggest that there is evidence of parallel e-representation, where MPs use the Internet to enhance their relationship with geographical constituents. We also find the basis for a separate form of e-representation based around the development of an e-constituency of those with shared policy interests. We suggest that by creating a more flexible model, e-representation may add significant nuance to the direct versus representative democracy debate.

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