Lecture Info:
Representation on policy issues is often thought to be the cornerstone of representative democracy, but in an era of “identity politics” and “negative partisanship,” there are many ways representatives connect with their constituents. For example, congressional communication sent to constituents often focuses on a shared identity, drawing constituents into in-groups based on their social identities or partisanship, or denigrates out-groups using uncivil language. Utilizing a large dataset of congressional newsletters, Professor Costa examines how ideas of identity versus policy are evoked in congressional communication and how these patterns have consequences for political representation. 

Speaker Bio:
Mia Costa is Assistant Professor of Government at Dartmouth College. Her research focuses on representation, public opinion, gender, and participation in American politics. She received a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.