Reflections on the ontological nature of political representation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25247/P1982-999X.2026.v26n1.p37-55Keywords:
representation, democracy, Political ScienceAbstract
There is a discussion about the ontological nature of political representation, from a logical and pragmatic point of view, evaluating the possibility of substantive foundations in it, in addition to the merely procedural ones. Argumentation goes through the logical-formal impossibility of representation and its consequences and derivations that affects practical manifestations of representation as a way to extract the collective will of society. The effect of these issues on democratic adherence and the principles of political representation, more generally considered, in a context in which governments are obliged to be accountable for their decisions and actions and to listen to the demands of society. As a result, it is highlighted that understanding the values, identities and commitments of the representative adds relevant qualitative dimensions to understanding the phenomenon of representation.
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