Representation

The Routledge Dictionary of Politics, Third Edition

Representation is a political concept that arises in a variety of contexts, with subtly but importantly shifting meanings. Technically it means simply a system in which the interests or beliefs of many are ‘represented’ before some decision-making body by only one or a few people working on behalf of the many. In parliamentary terms representation refers to the constitutional system for electing members of the legislative body who will work for the interests of those who elected them, for whom they are ‘representative’.

In other political contexts representation may mean the mass or some governing élite choosing a few people from the many not normally allowed access to decision-making to come to meetings to pass on the views of those they ‘represent’. It does not follow, either in theory or practice, that representatives have any share in the making of decisions. Anyone can ‘make representations’ to a decision-maker, and may or may not seriously be listened to. So, for example, as a result of student activism in the 1960s, many universities have elaborate systems to provide student representation on university senates, but very few have allowed students an equal, if any, voice in policy-making.