Political representation and participation: reflection on the democratic deficit

Abstract

This article analyzes the institution of political representation seeking to identify the limits and possibilities that it offers to deepening democracy. Based on a reconstruction of the political debate of the late 18th century, which introduced the representative principle as a key tool for modern democracies, the text raises the principal arguments for and against representation and analyzes the origins of the institute. It then contextualizes the debate in contemporary societies by discussing central factors that permeate the quality of representation, such as the ties to and control of representatives, the role of public deliberation and the relationship with the mechanisms of direct and semidirect democracy. The article concludes that the democratic deficit, based on the close application of political representation, can be remedied with the combination of participative tools, such as the plebiscites, referendums, popular legislative initiatives, public policy management councils and participative budget processes.