Do policymakers favor the interests of some citizens at the expense of others? Do members of some groups think monolithically?

These are among the questions tackled in "Who Gets Represented" (Russell Sage Foundation), co-edited by Peter Enns, assistant professor of government, with Christopher Wlezien.

Among other things, political scientists writing in the volume find that it is not always evident when and how groups' interests differ, or what it means when they do, and they challenge common assumptions about voting blocs and how group political interests translate to differing political representation.

The idea that the preferences of any group -- women, African-Americans, the middle class, etc. -- are incompatible with the preferences of other groups, and that certain groups will always -- or will never -- have common interests comes under fire.

The book analyzes differences across income, education, racial and partisan groups to investigate differences in group opinion with regard to political representation. The authors also find that to understand political representation, similarities among group opinions are as significant as differences.

Enns will discuss the book's themes and conclusions and lead a question-and-answer session Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 4:30 p.m. in the Cornell Store. "Who Gets Represented?" will be discounted 20 percent during the event.