Political Representation

Cambridge University Press, 1/14/2010
EAN 9780521111270, ISBN10: 0521111277

Hardcover, 380 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm
Language: English

Political representation lies at the core of modern politics. Democracies, with their vast numbers of citizens, could not operate without representative institutions. Yet relations between the democratic ideal and the everyday practice of political representation have never been well defined and remain the subject of vigorous debate among historians, political theorists, lawyers, and citizens. In this volume, an eminent group of scholars move forward the debates about political representation on a number of fronts. Drawing on insights from political science, history, political theory, economics, and anthropology, the authors provide much-needed clarity to some of the most vexing questions about political representation. They also reveal new and enlightening perspectives on this fundamental political practice. Topics discussed include representation before democracy, political parties, minorities, electoral competition, and ideology. This volume is essential reading for anyone interested in the ideal and the reality of political representation.

Preface
Editors' introduction Ian Shapiro, Susan C. Stokes, Elisabeth Jean Wood and Alexander S. Kirshner
Part I. Representation before Representative Democracy
1. Hobbes's theory of representation
anti-democratic or proto-democratic? David Runciman
2. Participation and representation before democracy
petitions and addresses in pre-modern Britain Mark Knights
Part II. Theories of Political Representation
3. Varieties of public representation Phillip Pettit
4. Representative government and popular sovereignty Bryan Garsten
5. Making interest
on representation and democratic legitimacy Clarissa Rile Hayward
Part III. Representation and Inherited Injustice
6. Critical liberalism Courtney Jung
7. Settlers and natives in North America Mahmood Mamdani
Part IV. What Role for Representative Quotas?
8. Perverse consequences? The impact of quotas for women on democratisation in Africa Shireen Hassim
9. On quotas and qualifications for office Andrew Rehfeld
Part V. Preferences, Persuasion, and Democratic Representation
10. Electoral representation and the aristocratic thesis John Ferejohn and Frances Rosenbluth
11. Why does the Republican party win half the votes? John E. Roemer
12. The impact of electoral debate on public opinions
an experimental investigation of the 2005 New York City mayoral election Sendhil Mullainathan, Ebonya Washington and Julia R. Azari
13. Swing voters, core voters and distributive politics Gary W. Cox.

‘Crossing boundaries of history, political thought, analytical reason, and empirical inquiry, a superb group of scholars powerfully illuminates the place of individual and group representation within modern democracies. Anyone interested in such fundamental subjects as elections and legislatures, mass opinion and elite leadership, or public deliberation and private interest, should attend this rich harvest.’ Ira Katznelson, Ruggles Professor of Political Science and History, Columbia University

‘An excellent collection on the cutting edge of one of the most important topics in democratic theory.’ Jane Mansbridge, Harvard University