In sight, out of mind: Claims to represent the bourgeoisie and their reception in social situations

When it comes to explaining bourgeois consent to political delegation, the academic literature turns to face-to-face interactions between upper-class voters and politicians in social situations, as if this interplay were always harmonious. This article shows that many problems can arise when politicians engage with upper-class voters. It argues that this dysphoria is interesting as it shows what sorts of behavior on the part of politicians throw upper-class voters off balance: the inability to properly convey ego-control and to show signs that suggest a personal relationship exists between them and their voters.