2019/08/28 by Alex Marland, Angelia Wagner · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Gender Politics and Representation #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Parliament #Politics #Political science #Democracy #Public relations #Franchise #Public administration #Advertising #Law #Business #Marketing
paper · doi:10.1080/15377857.2019.1658022
openalex publication_date 2019/08/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/29
Political parties with strict party discipline are well-placed to demand that their election candidates and legislators promote the party brand. The franchise-franchisee relationship causes representatives to relinquish individual expression in exchange for centralized party messaging. This article looks at how a strategic desire for party unity combines with internal brand management to turn lower-ranking politicians in a parliamentary system into party brand ambassadors. Our Canadian case study draws on in-depth interviews with party leaders, Members of Parliament, political staff, candidates for office and prospective candidates. The implications for representative democracy in a Westminster system are considered, including the representational constraints for racial and sexual minorities.