Representation & Democracy

Course Description

Representation is essential to modern democracy, but what does ?representation? mean? How do we know when citizen interests are adequately represented? This course will explore representation in modern democracies from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. We will begin by asking what we want and expect from democratic systems of government in terms of representation. This will include a discussion of the desirability of different types of representation such as descriptive representation, symbolic representation, and policy representation. We will then draw on current scholarship to empirically examine whether modern democracies do a good job of representing citizens from each of these perspectives. We will also discuss the reasons why some democracies seem to do a better job of representing their citizens than others. The course will take a comparative perspective; the United States will be one of many countries we examine. Restrictions: Juniors and Seniors only, others permitted by Instructor. Offered every two years.

Code

PLSC 459

Credits

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Subject

PLSC