The Idea of Political Representation and Its Paradoxes

• Autor principal: Waśkiewicz, Andrzej (auth)
• Formato: Electrónico Capítulo de libro
• Lenguaje: inglés
• Publicado: Bern Peter Lang International Academic Publishers 2020
• Colección: Studies in Philosophy, Culture and Contemporary Society 24
• Materias: Political science & theory; Philosophy; Political ideologies; 2012; Common good; Idea; idei; Legitimisation of power; Limitation of power; Paradoksy; Paradoxes; Political; politycznej; Representation; reprezentacji; Scholar; Social diversity; Sovereignty of power; Warszawa; Waskiewicz; Wydawnictwo
• Acceso en línea: OAPEN Library: download the publication; OAPEN Library: description of the publication

Sumario

If we want to understand the vicissitudes of modern democracy then, argues the author, we need to analyse the ideas upon which representative government is based rather than compare contemporary conditions with the Greek ideal. These principal ideas have been presented clearly in past centuries, when the relation between democracy and representation was still a matter of political judgement. The old masters of political thinking clarified the functions of representation: legitimising power, creating sovereignty but also setting its limits, and pursuing the common good while still reflecting social diversity. Because institutions of representation are expected to fulfil a variety of functions, these institutions have in recent times come under attack for standing in the way of radical programs for democratising democracy. The author of this book reminds us that these functions are necessary in every political order, whether democratic or not. Instead of rejecting representation, political theorists should focus on making government more accountable.

Descripción Física

1 electronic resource (272 p.)

ISBN

b16311
9783631806012
9783631806029
9783631806036
9783631803882

Acceso

Open Access