Representation and accountability: a comparison of early modern England and Poland

Abstract

SUMMARY In this article the authors explore the nature of representation in sixteenth-century representative assemblies. Comparing the structure and workings of the Polish Diet and the English Parliament, they argue that the ability of MPs in England to pursue local interests and represent local concerns was compromised by the limited opportunities to consult with those they represented. By contrast, Poland's political culture, traditions and institutions enabled deputies to carry to the Diet a deep understanding of local concerns and a strong sense of obligation to represent local interests.