Representative roles in the French National Assembly: The case for a dual typology

This article proposes an analysis of representative roles of French deputies based on a new data set and an inclusive conception of representation that focuses on deputies' activities at both local and national levels. To overcome the tension between the two main conceptions of representative roles, neither of which fit with our data and observations, we explore the opportunity of creating a double typology. In this typology – based on variables such as political and social capital; ambition; expertise; and conception of general interest – each deputy is playing two main roles: one at local level and one at national level. This approach allows us to take into account several important features of deputies' activities and behaviour in France