Abstract

MONSIVAIS CARRILLO, Alejandro. Rethinking democracy and representation: a proposal to extend the democratic canon. Perf. latinoam. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.41, pp.45-69. ISSN 0188-7653.

Rethinking political representation is necessary to understand many contemporary democratic challenges. However, a widely accepted view states that democracy and representation are two irreconcilable principles, thus hindering the theoretical assessment of political representation's democratic relevance. According to this view, what democracy needs is more popular participation; instead, representation involves elitism and political detachment. In this paper I will argue that such a view is inaccurate. Through the reconstruction of the democratic ideal, and the discussion of the concept of political representation, I intend to show that processes of political authorization, accountability and public justification are both elements of political representation and expression of democratic politics.

Keywords : political representation; democracy; legitimacy; accountability; governance; deliberation.

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