When politicians feel pressure to represent: evidence from South Africa

Abstract

This article explores whether representatives from minority groups feel under pressure to represent the group they are associated with. We use a representative survey experiment in South Africa (N = 1,252), combined with semi-structured interviews with elected representatives (N = 25). In the survey, there are clear expectations in the population that groups should be represented by a member of ‘their’ group. However, in the survey experiment which captures a behavioural response, members of the general population do not trust representatives of ‘their’ group more. In the interviews, the representatives confirm that they are aware of the expectations of the population, and to some extent feel under pressure to represent the group they are associated with and its interests. They often express a reluctance to represent groups because they want to focus on substantive issues. From their perspective, there is a tension between representing groups and norms against clientelism.