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Representation in Local Politics: a Reconsideration and some New Evidence

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  • Nirmala Rao

Abstract

The concept of ‘representation’, and the tensions within it, have exercised writers throughout the history of political theory. There is little consensus beyond the agreement that the meaning of representation should be made clear, and consistency sought, in any particular application. This paper takes as its starting point some key components of the concept of representation, and in the light of them examines the changing attitudes of both representatives and electors in British local government. Survey data accumulated over a 30‐year period provides the basis for this analysis, enabling attention to be given to trends over the period. Changing expectations of representativeness—a component of representation that stresses ‘resemblance’ or ‘symbolic identification’—prompt a questioning of its appropriateness for the understanding of local politics today. The evidence indicates that the contemporary demand for responsive and responsible local government has now displaced the historic concern with representativeness.

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  • Nirmala Rao, 1998. "Representation in Local Politics: a Reconsideration and some New Evidence," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 46(1), pages 19-35, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:polstu:v:46:y:1998:i:1:p:19-35
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-9248.00127
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    Cited by:

    1. Pratyusna Patnaik, 2005. "Affirmative Action and Political Participation: Elected Representatives in the Panchayats of Orissa," Working Papers 166, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.
    2. Anand Inbanathan, 2009. "Local Governance, Patronage and Accountability in Karnataka and Kerala," Working Papers 224, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.
    3. Pratyusna Patnaik, 2013. "Does Political Representation Ensure Empowerment? Scheduled Tribes in Decentralised Local Governments of India," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 8(1), pages 27-60, April.
    4. Ugur Yildirim & Zehra Gul & Soner Akin & Sevilay Kirac & Yusuf Kirac, 2016. "The Representation Capability of City Councils in Turkey: The Case for Siirt Province," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 6(10), pages 580-603, October.

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