Publisher Description

What is representation? What does it mean when a politician represents citizens in government? How can citizens be represented beyond the boundaries of the nation-state? These are just some of the questions which will be answered by David Runciman and Mónica Brito Vieira as they explain why representation should be understood as one of the key concepts in modern politics. The first part of the book examines the historical roots of the concept of representation, from its origins in ancient Rome through to its role in the revolutionary politics of the modern world. The second looks at different varieties of representation – in law as well as politics. The final part asks how the concept of representation can help us think creatively about current and future challenges facing the world. Representation is too often treated as a secondary or qualifying idea – as in the phrase 'representative democracy'. This book argues that we have this the wrong way round. Representation is the foundational idea in almost all areas of our political life. Making sense of representation in its own terms is crucial for seeing why democracy functions the way it does, and for exploring how it might function differently.

Back Cover

What is representation? What does it mean when a politician represents citizens in government? How can citizens be represented beyond the boundaries of the nation-state? These are just some of the questions which will be answered by David Runciman and M

Flap

What is representation? What does it mean when a politician represents citizens in government? How can citizens be represented beyond the boundaries of the nation-state? These are just some of the questions which will be answered by David Runciman and M

Author Biography

David Runciman is University Lecturer in Political Theory at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
Mónica Brito Vieira is Research Fellow at New Hall, Cambridge.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables vi Preface vii Part I The History of Representation 1 1 The Roots of Political Representation 3 2 Representation vs. Democracy 29 Part II The Logic of Representation 63 3 Representing Individuals 65 4 Representing Groups 84 Part III The Politics of Representation 121 5 Representing the State 123 6 Representation Beyond the Nation-State 149 Epilogue: Representing the Future? 182 References 193 Index 207

Review

"Runciman and Vieira track the history of the idea of representation, break apart the complex of themes that it encodes, and reveal some salient lessons for the internal and external organization of states. This is rich, intriguing and important stuff — political theory at its best."
Philip Pettit, Princeton University
"The authors succeed splendidly in their admirable ambition to survey the past, present and future of the concept of representation in a manner that is at once accessible and original, giving both neophyte and expert plenty to think about."
Richard Bellamy, University College London

Long Description

What is representation? What does it mean when a politician represents citizens in government? How can citizens be represented beyond the boundaries of the nation-state? These are just some of the questions which will be answered by David Runciman and Mnica Brito Vieira as they explain why representation should be understood as one of the key concepts in modern politics. The first part of the book examines the historical roots of the concept of representation, from its origins in ancient Rome through to its role in the revolutionary politics of the modern world. The second looks at different varieties of representation in law as well as politics. The final part asks how the concept of representation can help us think creatively about current and future challenges facing the world. Representation is too often treated as a secondary or qualifying idea as in the phrase representative democracy . This book argues that we have this the wrong way round. Representation is the foundational idea in almost all areas of our political life. Making sense of representation in its own terms is crucial for seeing why democracy functions the way it does, and for exploring how it might function differently.

Review Text

?Runciman and Vieira track the history of the idea of representation, break apart the complex of themes that it encodes, and reveal some salient lessons for the internal and external organization of states. This is rich, intriguing and important stuff ? political theory at its best.?
Philip Pettit, Princeton University
?The authors succeed splendidly in their admirable ambition to survey the past, present and future of the concept of representation in a manner that is at once accessible and original, giving both neophyte and expert plenty to think about.?
Richard Bellamy, University College London

Review Quote

"Runciman and Vieira track the history of the idea of representation, break apart the complex of themes that it encodes, and reveal some salient lessons for the internal and external organization of states. This is rich, intriguing and important stuff -- political theory at its best." Philip Pettit, Princeton University "The authors succeed splendidly in their admirable ambition to survey the past, present and future of the concept of representation in a manner that is at once accessible and original, giving both neophyte and expert plenty to think about." Richard Bellamy, University College London

Feature

a terrific new addition to the well respected Key Concepts series which looks at the core concept of Representation
a clear, concise and carefully-argued account of the terrain of Representation from ancient Rome to the revolutionary politics of the modern world
looks at a broad range of different varieties of representation ? in law as well as politics
asks how the concept of representation can help us think creatively about current and future challenges facing the world
beautifully and engagingly written, this book offers the ideal introduction to the concept of Representation for students and interested general readers

Details