Value Change and Reorientations in Citizen-State Relations

Abstract

Citizens' values matter to the successful functioning of democratic states. But values change, as do citizens' capacities. This article presents empirical findings showing that structural and value changes have combined to reorient how Canadians relate to their structures of governance. It also demonstrates that increasing numbers of Canadians think that their government is not responsive. Moreover, there are significant differences between how legislators see their roles as representatives and what citizens expect of their representatives.