Conclusion: What Have We Learned and What Needs to Be Done?

This chapter summarizes the major empirical findings of this study and considers the implications of changing prime ministers’ career experiences and profiles on democratic representation and democratic governance across the various European democracies. It is argued that the different types of experiences that prime ministers bring with them may result in different balances of responsive and responsible government. The chapter finally also proposes some new directions for future research on prime ministers’ careers in liberal democracies.