Abstract

BAPTISTA, António. Democracy and democratic representation. Anál. Social [online]. 2010, n.196, pp.491-514. ISSN 0003-2573.

In this article, democracy is conceived as the source of legitimacy of political representation. Thus, in order to debate representation, one must previously clarify and uphold a specific model of democracy. Democracy here is understood as the procedural ideal of political equality (isocracy). Arguments contrary to procedural concepts of democracy are analyzed and rejected, and the weaknesses of rival substantive concepts are explored. Finally, in accordance with isocracy’s ideal, direct democracy is considered democratically superior, and proportional electoral systems are held to be those most compatible with a democratic sort of representation: the accurate representation of citizens’ preferences.

Keywords : procedural democracy; political equality; direct democracy; proportional representation of preferences.

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