Political Representation Studies in Spain: Relations with Society. Manuel Portillo (UPO), Xavier Coller (UPO), Manuel Jiménez (UPO) 1

Transcription

1 Political Representation Studies in Spain: Relations with Society. Manuel Portillo (UPO), Xavier Coller (UPO), Manuel Jiménez (UPO) 1 24 th World Congress of Political Science IPSA Poznan, July 23-28, 2016 DISCLAIMER: The goal of this paper is to detect and describe the different discourses put forward by MPs to explain the growing disaffection and the gap between citizens and representatives. This is a preliminary and descriptive (rather than analytic) version of the paper. It builds upon a much more preliminary paper presented at CES Although the introduction section where we identify and set up the problem remains the same, new analysis, quotes (evidence) and some qualifications have been performed throughout the paper. Please, do not quote or circulate under any circumstances without the first author s permission. 1 In collaboration with Sandra Bermúdez (UPF), Guillermo Cordero (UPF), Amparo Novo (U Oviedo), Ricardo Feliu (U Navarra) y Marta Cumplido (UPO).

2 Political Representation Studies in Spain: Relations with Society. Manuel Portillo (UPO), Xavier Coller (UPO), Manuel Jiménez (UPO) 2 Abstract. One of the legacies of the economic crisis has been its impact on the political arena. An intense political disaffection is rooting in European countries. The representative link on which modern democracies are based is eroded opening the widow for new different sociopolitical movements to enter politics. The goal of this paper is to find out the narratives of established political elites (members of parliaments) explaining how the crisis has affected their relationship with citizens and the alternative scenarios they envision rebuilding the representative link. Introduction There is a gap between citizens and politicians identified in three situations. First, there is a growing disaffection concerning politicians and how they manage institutions they work in, although not that much to democracy and their institutions (Torcal 2014). Second, there is a progressive erosion of politician s image to the point that since mid-2008 politicians, their parties, and politics in general have become one of the three most relevant problems for Spaniards (see Figure 1 below). Third, an intense protest wave reflects extensive discontent and rejection of main actors in democracy (parties and politicians) the 15-M, the siege to the parliament of Catalonia, protests guided by the no nos representan (they (politicians) do not represent us) outcry, etc., are just indicators of what some surveys indicate: there is a growing distance between politicians (and their traditional parties) and citizens. 2 In collaboration with Sandra Bermúdez (UPF), Guillermo Cordero (UPF), Amparo Novo (U Oviedo), Ricardo Feliu (U Navarra) y Marta Cumplido (UPO).

3 ene-02 jul-02 ene-03 jul-03 ene-04 jul-04 ene-05 jul-05 ene-06 jul-06 ene-07 jul-07 ene-08 jul-08 ene-09 jul-09 ene-10 jul-10 ene-11 jul-11 ene-12 jul-12 ene-13 jul-13 ene-14 Figure 1. Politicians, parties and politics in general as a problem for Spaniards Ítem Los políticos en general, los partidos políticos y la política (%) Source: our own elaboration after the CIS monthly Barometer. This distance is just a reflection of the lack of trust Spaniards have developed towards politics and all that is related: government, public policies, and the like. Figure 2 below shows the evolution of political trust in Spain, indicating a deep erosion of this crucial element of any political system. Although we are not in a systemic crisis, in societies like those in the south of Europe, the economic crisis has unveiled a crisis of rationality (the State is unable to keep the economy on a leash) and a crisis of legitimacy (citizens distrust the political system) (Habermas 1975). The combination of these elements ends up in the political disaffection of citizens: while citizens may still trust the democratic system (democratic legitimacy), they feel dissatisfied with the management of public affairs (political discontent) and the combination of both factors can lead to a behavior of selfexclusion from the political institutions (political disaffection) (Zamora & Coller 2014, Torcal & Montero 2006).

4 Figure 2. Political trust. Source: our own elaboration after the CIS monthly Barometer. The link between citizens, politicians, and political institutions is being eroded in the context of a deep and long economic crisis. Paradoxically, this rising disaffection towards politics takes place when ICTs open up a number of possibilities for communication between actors of the civil society and political institutions. The goal of this paper is to find out how politicians interpret and explain the erosion of the bond with citizens, find out the causes they perceive, and check the role they assign to ICTs as a possible bridge with their electors. Evidence This paper is the first outcome of a research project titled Parliamentarians and Society designed to capture the discourses of MPs about their role as representatives, the problems they face and how they see their function changing. Interviews were carried out to a motivated sample of 61 MPs (around 10%) from parliaments of Andalusia, Asturias,

5 Catalonia, Estremadura, Navarre, Basque Country and Valencia, following selection criteria based on sex, party and territory (see Table 1 below), combined with legislatures in parliament and TICs use. Table 1. Motivated Sample Distribution. Parliament MPs Interviews Sex Party Men Women PSOE PP Other Andalusia Asturias Catalonia Extremadura Navarre Basque Country Valencia TOTAL Note: The Other category includes IU in Andalusia; UPyD, Foro Asturias, and IU in Asturias; CiU, ERC, and Ciutadans (Cs) in Catalonia; UPN, Bildu, and Nabai in Navarre; Bildu and EA-NV in the Basque Country; and IU and Compromís in Valencia. See acronyms in the annex. MPs were contacted by mail and interviews were carried out face to face lasting an average of minutes. Most interviews were carried out between October 2014 and April 2015, have been transcribed and codified using Nvivo, although the analysis still goes on. Explanations of the political divide There are two discourses concerning the crisis of the representative link between MPs and citizens. The first one denies the existence of a gap as a result of a possible sample bias and the uses of ICTs and social media. It is based on the experience of the MP, especially at the local level, and consists of identifying proximity between the MP and the people they usually are in contact with, ignoring perhaps the wider picture. Both positions are found across parties:

6 I think there is no such a gap. I believe that representatives are people who are in the streets and are regular people. [ ] I think that in general politicians [ ] listen to regular people and all have families, friends. We come from different sectors [ ] from all social conditions, all territories (rural, urban), some are more prepared, some others less prepared, with more money, less money. So, I believe we are a part of a real society. We are not that far away as many people think (PP woman, Andalucía). I believe that some politicians take for instance local councilors. They are also politicians and there is not such an estrangement, distance [compared] to people that are managing large structures [parliaments, governments] (PSOE man, Valencia). We [the party] are very much on the streets and I do not see this distance [ ]. Perhaps in the past this distance was [wider] because some politicians wanted to have it, for social status or because they used an official car, I do not know. But I believe that today this distance is not such. At least this is what we see in the villages [we visit]. [ ] I believe that the people that relate to politicians, those who have the opportunity to participate in some meeting, they have less disaffection (PP, women). There is a gap, although I do not believe that all citizens think alike or that all politicians are the same. [ ] I have little to do with national leaders of any party, for instance, whom we are used to see in TV. In my village, people see me with normality, I am accessible [ ] I believe that local councilors are politicians as well and there is no distance. I believe there is distance with people that, because of their responsibilities, they are managing large structures [of power]: ministers, secretaries of state, etc. [ ] It is true that there are not much relations with citizens. Furthermore, people do not perceive us as close. This is true. In large part, this is true and some other times, it is the result of that growing wave that does not distinguish one from the other [politician] (PSOE, man). You cannot put everybody in the same bag. The vast majority of politicians belong to the local world and they are willing to improve the life of people around them (ICV women, Catalonia). There is no more distance, but closeness in the sense that before it was unthinkable that you would send a twit to a political leader and that s/he would answer you. [ ] I think there are less distance because politicians have been obliged to go down, they go to the TV, they have twitter [ ] there is less physical distance and more room for the political debate. [ ] But I believe there is a worst image of the politician (Cs woman, Catalonia). I believe that the gap is part of the past. That is, it is the outcome of a more distant attitude of a past period. I believe that he example I just gave about social media (social networks) and the accessibility that we politicians have, I believe that it is not comparable to any other period of the democratic history of this country (PP, woman, Valencia). The denial of the gap might be the result of a certain sample bias effect although it seems to derive from a dual vision of politics opposing the local to the national level. Thus, MPs that are also local councilors tend to qualify the gap indicating that people in their (usually small) cities see them as regular people, approach them and participate in politics through them. Additionally, there is also a discourse based on the role of the ICTs (and social media) as the tool allowing citizens to be closer to politicians or, at least, promoting interactions that brings closer citizens and politicians. ICTs appear in these cases as the new panacea generating a solution for the gap.

7 On the other hand, there are MPs who understand that the slogan They [politicians] do not represent us, which is an indicator of the distance between MPs and citizens, epitomizes something natural: evidently, those who govern and take decisions against the majority, do not represent them. But we cannot forget that there are minorities inside parliaments that are defending their interests. So, the problem is the generalization. [ ] (IU, man, Andalucía). However, it is an undeniable fact that the hegemonic discourse is based on the idea that the gap exists. There is a widely shared perception that the gap between politicians and citizens exists and this perception is shared across political parties. I believe this gap gets manifests in different things, since the apathy with which people follow all things related to politics to the climate that gets generated by episodes of corruption as showed in newspapers (PSOE, man, Asturias ) I believe the divide between citizens and representatives exists [ ] and it gets visible in different things [ranging from] the apathy towards all political questions to the climate of tension generated with all the cases of corruption that appear in every newspaper, every newspaper, every day. And this divide manifests itself in a variety of things ranging from the rejection of the image [of politicians] rejection of politics [political issues] in many occasions to the disrepute of almost every political representative of any sphere or party. (PSOE man). The gap is seen in the absolute lack of credibility of politicians; this is the main evidence. The word of a politician has little value nowadays, and this is very dangerous [ ] there are deep reasons for this that have been accumulated over the years, but I believe this is the most important danger that the democratic system faces, the lack of credibility of [ ] politicians (UPyD man). Yes, yes, openly, I believe that in general, the common public opinion has discredited people that dedicate time to politics, at all levels. I am not talking only about representative politics, but even people that participate in political parties, they are discredited. Why? Well, we have had a group of politicians in this country that have not met people s needs. And they have been delinquents, and at the end, this has left a mark (IU woman). The explanation of the divide is a contested terrain but there are several factors that arise in the discourses elaborated by MPs: expected disinterest on the part of citizens, economic crisis, corruption, political misbehavior, opaqueness, lack of citizens participation, misinformation provoked by mass media, citizens ignorance of MPs work. On the one hand, there are MPs who understand that democracies have cycles and that after a period of interest provoked by the novelty of the democratic regime, people feel tired, become distant from politics and loses interest. All this combined with a sort of

8 generational renewal new generations are different from those that have been ruling in Spain and made the transition to democracy: The first 20 years of democracy in Spain or in Andalucía we had the same interest that newly wed people. It has been a long honey moon, fortunately. But now, it is true that [ ] all this interest that we rose aong citizens is now different. Among other things because there are young people to whom old battles I can narrate will be a matter of history. I am not complaining. We have to react and I understand that politicians from younger generations will contact with citizens much more easily than those who have lived another experience (PSOE woman, Andalucía.) Basically we have had an important group of politicians in this country that have not been responsive to people s needs. And they have been delinquents, and at the end, all this has left a mark (IU man) Look, I believe that, at least in this chamber, there are debates that have noting to do with what people are worried [or interested]. Besides, people do not understand them. I believe we are not doing well here (PSOE, man, Valencia) The economic crisis is a factor that is taken into account, especially as a catalyzer of the discontent. Sometimes, the crisis is not perceived as just a catalyzer, but a necessary factor to explain the political discontent. Had not the crisis affected Spain for so long and so deeply, would have been Spaniards concerned about politics becoming more disaffected or cynical? This is the latent question in some politicians discourses. I believe that the economic crisis [ ] has questioned many values that liberal societies understood as solid and has led to question the political arena. Then, thre has been a process of questioning the economy and later it has affecte as well political systems (NaBai man, Navarre). Recently, many governments have been against people s happiness, they are making people suffering, favoring minorities with economic power and then they are not representing society but particular economic and financial interests. They are representing an ideology that has nothing to do with the search [provision] of happiness for the majority. This is why we have this gap (IU, man, Andalucia). The divide is enormous. I believe it has been generated, let s not fool ourselves, by the crisis, although we might believe that it has been created by the corruption. The gap with politicians has been created by the crisis, not the corruption. If it were the corruption, how is it possible that cases of corruption that have lasted so many years [ ] and citizens have never punished these parties? Because while there was no crisis, there was no problem. When dos corruption explodes and becomes a problem for citizens? When it is parallel to the crisis. If there is no crisis, citizens do not care. [ ] so, what has happened? That the crisis has added up [ ] when the crisis appears, all satellites around politics appear as well [ ] corruption, real state bubble [ ] now people want to know where the money has been spent so that they have no jobs now (PP woman). The origin [of the gap] is the crisis, that affects Spain intensely for eight years.- This crisis has made that many people lose their jobs, their welfare that they could have under different economic conditions. If you add to this situation the fact that there are many cases of corruption in which politicians betray citizens trust, then this is translated into a generalized distrust towards politicians, not only towards people who have betrayed citizens, but towards the collective these people represent [politicians] (ICV woman). I believe there is a relevant reason in this moment: the economic situation insofar it affects a large number of Spanish families with almost six million people unemployed. The duration of the crisis makes that the administration and politics are seen in a very negative way in so far they have not been able to attack the

9 problem [economic crisis] more quickly. And all this phenomenon gets complicated insofar episodes linked to misuses of public money, or straight corruption, flourishes in different situations, in different regions and in different parties throughout time (PSOE man, Andalucía). I believe that the economic crisis affects a lot. [ ] In Spain and I suppose in other countries is the same, there is a relationship between NPD growth and political disaffection. A growing NPD lowers disaffection. At least, the CIS series [surveys] so indicate. Now, we are in a more structural problem because even though the economy goes better, it does not mean that there will be a recovery in the credibility of politics (PP man, Catalonia). Rivaling in explanatory capacity, political corruption is the other factor that politicians across parties put forward to explain disaffection and estrangement from the population. In their discourses, corruption is combined with political wrongdoings as a package of misconducts in politics. Citizens, it is indicated, are fed up with this misbehavior of some politicians (and in different parties and territories, as it is acknowledged) and are perceived as understanding that all politicians are the same and consequently making no distinction, penalizing with the estrangement all parties and individuals. Some politicians emphasize in their discourses that because citizens are unfamiliar with their work and accept uncritically mass media images, they are also unable to ascertain the differences between politicians. On the other hand, there is a self-criticism captured in some cases advancing the fact that political institutions (and supposedly their inhabitants, i.e. MPs) are also to be blamed for corruption since there has been some tolerance or, at least, inaction to prevent it. Corruption has always existed, but never in the dimensions that we are seeing now. If it gets combined with an economic crisis that has upset more to the people, then all this has been translated to a situation in which we have a whole country boiling. What is good is that people have not gone to burn dumpsters; contrary, they are discussing about politics. But it is tremendous, I feel ashamed dedicating myself to politics when there are people that [are corrupted] (PSOE man, Extremadura). It does not help the bad political practices, in parliaments and all political institutions, and the corruption. If we cannot put an end to this, it will be very difficult to go back to build bridges to work [again with] organizations, collectivities that they know what we do and realize what being here [Parliament] means (ERC woman, Catalonia) Because of the corruption, because of the corruption, because of the corruption. There is nothing else. [ ] And I understand the gap [between politicians and citizens], I am very angry and if I were not a politician I would not be able to see any politician. Why are we going to fool ourselves? Man, it is true, it is true (PP woman, Valencia). There is a situation of economic crisis that has favored it [the divide between politicians and citizens] a lot. But there is also a political crisis and a crisis of values in our country. All this corruption has not helped. Corruption is extended [ ] and nobody has implemented the adequate measures [to prevent it]. Even those

10 who had had to intervene long ago to prevent it [corruption], have not done anything [ ] Yes, we are all shocked, but I believe that we are all a bit guilty, but then, blame the politician. Obviously, they are the main actors. Corruption has affected, but also the measures needed [ ] (PSOE man, Valencia). I believe, the most important [factor] is the corruption we are seen that, combined with the crisis [ ] that is hurting so many people, makes that people puts distance [with politicians] when they see, although it is not generalized, when they see that there are people who enter politics, that should be an honest activity, to enrich themselves. I believe that this is, although not the only one, a very important motive (IU woman). Blaming the citizens for the gap between politicians and citizens is not a usual strategy, although it is one of the pillars of the discourses identified among politicians. The reasons are several. On the one hand, some perceive that citizens have accommodate themselves and have not been too demanding: The problem is that many citizens not many, the large majority of the Spanish society in general has been accommodated, all accepted it [ ] All became accustomed since we did not demand, we did not have the consciousness that we had to participate so that society and all that be part of it, be better off [ ] (PP, man, Asturias). On the other hand, there is the perceived unfamiliarity of citizens with parliamentary work, for which some MPs blame themselves. We are not being capable of transmitting to citizens the relevance of politics in their everyday life and in the decisions adopted. In this sense, I believe there is an important gap (IU, woman, Asturias) I go quite often to universities and schools to explain what we do and I believe that the parliament is a very unknown institution [ ] When I go an d tell what I do, what is my agenda, to what tasks I devote my time, [ ] so many people have a vision what they see on TV is that we seat in parliament and we press a button (to vote), which is totally mistaken [ ] So when we explain what we do, I believe that many people begin realizing that parliament is that that negative image offered by some media that actually do not inform what we do in Parliament, but misinforming because they show only few particular cases (PSOE, man, Andalucía). [one element] is the ignorance of what we do as parliamentarians. But this is not the responsibility of the citizenry since we do not explain what we do. Everything we do here [Parliament] has to have an impact on society. There is a wide ignorance because the system has not been capable of explaining our task (ERC woman Catalonia). Ignoring the nature of the work in Parliament and its impact may generate the conditions to accept negative images or the belief that misconducts are widespread. On the other hand, mass media get their share of blame since they are perceived as transmitting a negative image of widespread corruption in which all MPs are involved. What they see on TV, come on, we seat down and press a button to vote, which is totally mistaken. (PSOE man, Andalucía). There is a bad image (PP woman, Navarre).

11 Thirdly, citizens, in the MPs discourses, assume uncritically this negative image aired by mass media, and are unable to distinguish between different types of politicians, although when there is a direct contact, this perception may change. The main [cause] is the political practices of some people holding political offices, being Parliaments but mainly governments. The other is the not innocent willingness to try to show that we are all the same [ ] and to a lesser extent, but I think we have to say it, the low critical vision on the part of the citizenry, who believe these messages, interiorize them and repeat them like parrots without questioning them and without checking whether they are true or not. In many occasions I have met with people that are very distrustful of politicians but when they work with you, when they realize that your understand the problem and you try to help them [ ], then they exonerate you from distrust, but unfortunately, you are the only one they exonerate (ICV woman). The fourth block of explanations of the gap has a kaleidoscopic nature although all are associated to the representative role of MPs in one way or the other. The recent debates about the impossibility to combine the seat in Parliament with other professions leads toward the professionalization of politics and, for some, this isolates politicians from society, producing a political elite that is not in contact with social problems first hand. No doubt, no doubt [the gap exists]. In this parliament we are talking now about the professionalization of MPs; that is, the exclusive dedication to politics [ ] I am against it because it is the only way to stay tuned to the streets, to what happens in the streets (Foro man, Asturias). On the other hand, there are other MPs that acknowledge that they are not doing a good job in explaining citizens what they do. This lack of explanation affects citizens unfamiliarity with parliaments and MPs that predisposes them to uncritically accept negative mass media images. I think we need [ ] more pedagogy from the citizens toward us so that we can understand what the demand to us, and from us to the citizens so that our language does not become an unintelligible jargon. So, we need more years of democracy (PSOE Woman, Andalucía) It is one of the most important problems that everybody detects, the estrangement and discredit of politics. Well, there are many factors; one is the unfamiliarity of citizens with the tasks we perform in parliaments. But this is not to blame citizens, but ourselves for not explaining what we do or for not working better since everything we do here has an impact in society. I believe people do not know what we do here, but it is the system that has not been able to explain what we do. And obviously, it has not helped and has made it worst some political wrongdoings in parliament, in all political institutions, and the cases of corruption if we do not know how to put an end to this, it will be very difficult to create links [with citizens] [ ] I believe, the main problem is that we have not been strong with this behavior, with these wrongdoings, although we are now beginning to make proposals, to introduce changes in relation with this [ ] (ERC woman, Catalonia).

12 [the gap exists] and we are not we are not capable to transmit citizens the importance of politics in their everyday life and the decisions made. In that sense, I believe there is a very important divide (IU woman). Lastly, there are institutional failures that have generated situations conducive to widening the gap between citizens and politicians. These institutional failures are concentrated in two factors: lack of accountability and irresponsibility. Since there is little induced accountability (beyond the elections every four years), the politician does not feel the need to tell citizens what s/he has done, contributing to isolation and estrangement. Selection of politicians, the electoral system and the way parliamentary groups work are factors (not treated in this paper) explaining the lack of accountability. Furthermore, it seems that some politicians resent the fact that corruption has not been prevented, but since there is little assumption of responsibilities, the image of politicians (as a collective) gets damaged. It is true that some people consider that all politicians are the same, that all politicians are corrupted, and this is not the case. I am a politician now and I am very honest, but i am not saying this only because of me or my party. There are people in the Popular Party, in CiU, in the socialist party that are very honest, valid and hard workers. So, we cannot say that all parties are corrupted or that all politicians are corrupted. I do not agree with these generalizations, but it is true that the way things work in Spain favor that whoever wants to be corrupted, whoever wants to steal, whoever wants to benefit from the system, it is very easy to do so (C s woman). the growing discontent of citizens with politicians [is related] to the deficiencies of our system [ ] it is true that the way the system works favors that whoever wants to be a corrupt, whoever wants to steal, whoever wants to take advantage to the system, it is very easy for him/her [ ] If these system deficiencies would have been corrected, no doubt, citizens would not have the perception they have today [about politicians] (C s woman) [the origin lies] in an absolute lack of accountability and an absolute irresponsibility. We have lived for a long time lead by an irresponsible political class, irresponsible not only because it behaved with little responsibility, but also because it did not assume any responsibility. Things have happened here with the corruption, in the economy, hiding any type of planning, and nothing has happened to the political elite. This elite has been the same, in some cases asking for forgiveness, as if it were sufficient with this. There has not been renewal of the elite, and when there is irresponsibility and citizens are affected in their lives for this irresponsibility, and see that nothing happens, then (UPyD man) Politicians offer ideas in the elections, citizens vote them and then the ideas that have won, get implemented. Well, it is not like that [ ] This has brought politicians lack of credibility (ERC man Catalonia). In part this is because of corrupted politicians, and then [ ] at the end, the current system to represent people [ ] where we live in a bipartisanship, where there is A or B, and the opinions of a large social majority are left out and they ended up doing the same, so the people did not see reflected in parties their needs and that [ ] generated frustration (IU woman).

13 The origin [of the gap] lies in a situation in which citizens knew they gave their trust, their vote and representation for a period of four years and it was fine to ask for accountability every four years. They have realized that in these four years too many uncontrolled and unknown things happened. And some of these things had a relative relevance, but some other had a very important relevance, especially those things related to corruption. And in this moment, they have say no, they want to know what is going on in a very precise and close manner (PSOE man). However, this institutional failure is attributed as well to the education system in some cases: The education system still needs to teach young children the possibilities that the [political] system offers for them to use them. They do not know at all. Citizens do not go to the institutions, which means that also institutions have failed. We do not have to wait for somebody to come to ask us for something that most likely they do not even know it exists (PSOE man, Valencia). Solutions In order to avoid the divide between MPs and citizens, there are a number of solutions MPs put forward usually related to the idea of transparency in institutions and parties, which necessarily involve changes, including the electoral system. [ ] sometimes you tell your inner circle, friends, family, and tell them what you do here [parliament], the other side of what they see regularly and there is a lot of ignorance. So, I believe that it is needed more transparency in institutions, not just accountability, but that citizens know what we do, the influence, the work we do, how it works. There are lots of people that just do not know what we do and if they really would see it, perhaps (PSOE woman, Asturias) we have to introduce changes in the structure of institutions, more transparency in the way politicians are selected and promoted, more clear and selective (PSOE man). There are governments that are implementing some measures, but political parties have to implement more transparency, channel the wishes for participation showed by citizens [ ] so I believe that in this moment, parties have to change their way of working to try to reflect what the citizens demand (ICV woman). We have to change the electoral district. There is no reason to keep the province as electoral districts. They have to be smaller and [people] have to vote the candidate, and not a list [ ] Open lists, single districts, unipersonal and according to the population [ ] where citizens will elect their representatives that could be a member of a party or not (PP man). These measures should be combined with a pedagogic function that MPs should develop in order to explain citizens what they do in parliaments so that the level of unfamiliarity gets reduced. There is a lot of unfamiliarity [with Parliaments] I believe that transparency is needed, not only accountability, but an explanation of what we do, the influence, the work we do, how it works the system. There are people that ignore what we do and, really, if they knew [ ] I believe we need a pedagogic task, contacting (formally or informally), collective, through schools, universities so that children could learn the function and relevance of the public representative (PSOE woman Asturias).

14 When we work hand to hand with assocaitions or groups [ ] they realize what means to be working here [parliament], working, and dedication. Otherwise, people s perception is what goes in the mass media or what they see on TV when there are images of the plenary or the committees, the think that all politicians are thieves [ ] (ERC woman, Catalonia). However, there is a vague idea that participation should be in the agenda of reforms so that institutions (parties and parliaments) could entice citizens participation as a way of involving them in the political process. I believe that disaffection is combated [ ] with participation, generating a debate much more direct between the representative and the elector (PP man). [we should introduce] accountability mechanisms, participation mechanisms for militants and sympathizers to participate more often (PSOE man). Politicians need to be [politically] nurtured by citizens. There are many times in which politicians are in a bubble and they do not know what is going on. They have a number of consultants around them telling them how beautiful they are how clever they are, how perfect everything is, and they are not aware of what is going on. Thus, we need to be in contact with citizens (PP woman). Nonetheless, increasing avenues for participation is a solution that responds to a demand that some see as inflated: I believe that these demands are there, but I do not know whether these demands are so extensive [ ]. It is true that there are many people that are not concerned about politics and that what they want is to live their lives, [expecting that] politicians will solve [problems], will take decisions, but they do not want to devote time to decide, to participate because they have another live and I think this is reasonable. So, I would like to see to what extent it is real that citizens demand [ ] more participation, we should see along what lines [ ] It is true that we have to advance more in terms of participation, but I tell you something as well, I believe that we have our doors open, and sometimes it is society that shows little interest (PP woman, Andalucia). ICTs appear as a new channel to contact potential electors and thus connect MPs with citizens combined with more traditional forms of communication (mail, telephone, visits). However, the perception of MPs varies and there are a number of functions ICTs perform for politics. On the one hand, ICTs increases MPs accessibility and allows MPs to be more receptive, more open to what is going on in the environment and set up interactions with unknown people. Basically, social networks mediated by ICTs allow politicians to listen to citizens and be more accessible: [ ] Contact with people should be easier. Sometimes, social media some times facilitate it, but I believe that it is out of our hands a lot (PSOE woman, Asturias)

15 [Social networks] are useful to be informed about many things for the easiness and immediacy [ ] but I believe we cannot lose the traditional ways of communicating because it is important that people are in contact. They are not incompatible, all are important. But it is not the same to communicate by Facebook or Twitter than going to visit some people at their neighborhood to know first-hand the problem they have [ ] especially in a small community (IU woman). I try to be accessible to the public. Obviously, when I am interested in accessing a group, it is me who looks for the contact and the face-to-face encounters exist. But when other people try to contact me, I believe that when more accessibility we offer through ICTs, the better. And in that way we have also obtained relationships, contacts, to explain citizens the reasons for some decisions or how we think we have to do some things [ ] (PP man) It is very useful [for politics] for the interaction. It is a channel that can be used by a person that has no direct access to the MP if she does not know you, does not go to Parliament, or if you do not coincide with her in your town [ ]. In that way, she has a very direct way of asking a question, claiming for something, and, at the sme time, you have the chance of addressing this person concerns and answer him/her. [ ] their advantage is that they facilitate a direct communication (PSOE man) First, they now what I do. Second, if I have the chance to answer people I do not know in person, then I can have a more direct relationship. It does not substitute the face-to-face interaction, but it is a step. [ ] It is a tool, although precarious, to reach people (PP man) It is a way of breaking barriers and reaching people exponentially. It is transversal because you reach everybody. And it is crystal clear. It requires some degree of audacity because in 140 characters you have said what you have said, and rigor. [ ] All this have changed us 200% in a clear and evident way (CIU woman). [in] Twitter I have found the most useful and easy way to staying tuned to society, is a thermometer of what is going on, of the opinions of people; [it is a way of]dialoguing, although superficially, with people about debates, of showing what you do in the very moment of doing it, and also, of setting up a network of people interested on what you do (ICV woman). [ ] through a direct, private message unknown people get in contact with you, set up dialogues, you listen although not in a direct way. And this can be the origin, sometimes, of other meetings, other ways of contacting people (PSOE woman). This accessibility is also functional for new emergent small parties that cannot be present in a large number of associations, groups and, especially, mass media: We are a party that without social networks would not exist [ ] they allow you to break the barriers of traditional mass media that follow some interests [ ] A party with a larger body of affiliates is present in all institutions. But we are not going to be this party, so the best tools are those [social networks] (UPyD man). However, there are also discourses linking the solution to the crisis of representation to the growing proximity between MPs and citizens not mediated by ICTs and social media, but by making an effort to look like regular citizens, not distant representatives: [ ] I believe that at the end, if we are regular people, citizens will see us as they are. But if we are not accessible when they call [ ] we do not answer s sent by people or we do not reply to the petitions sent by facebook, [ ] then we are above good and evil and we look like extraterrestrial. Look, that generates rejection, but if you behave with simplicity (naturalness) [ ] If people see us as normal, the gap will disappear, Bibliography

16 Torcal, Mariano (2014), The Decline of Political Trust in Spain and Portugal. Economic Performance or Political Responsiveness, in Zamora, Anna, and Xavier Coller (eds) (2014), The Economic Crisis from Within: Evidence from Southern Europe. Special Issue, American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 58, nº 12, doi: / Habermas, J. (1975), Legitimation crisis, Boston: Beacon Press. Zamora, Anna, and Xavier Coller (eds) (2014), The Economic Crisis from Within: Evidence from Southern Europe. Special Issue, American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 58, nº 12 Torcal & Montero 2006 Royo, S. (2014), Institutional Degeneration and the Economic Crisis in Spain, in Zamora, Anna, and Xavier Coller (eds) (2014), The Economic Crisis from Within: Evidence from Southern Europe. Special Issue, American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 58, nº 12, doi: /

17 Annex. List of parties whose MPs have been interviewed ACRONYM NAME PP Partido Popular People sparty PSOE Partido Socialista Obrero Español SpanishSocialistWorkersParty IU Izquierda Unida UnitedLeft UPyD Unión, Progreso y Democracia Union, Progress and Democracy FAC Foro Asturias Asturias Forum C s Ciudadanos Citizens CiU Convergencia i Unió Convergence and Union UPN Unión del Pueblo Navarro NavarresePeople sunion BILDU EuskalHerria Bildu Basque Country United NABAI NafarroaBai Yes to Navarre EA-NV EuzkoAbertzaleak Nacionalistas Vascos BasqueNationalistParty Compromís CoalicióCompromís CommitmentCoalition ERC Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya Republican Left of Catalonia