Politics of Presence

One of the most hotly-debated debates in contemporary democracy revolves around issues of political presence, and whether the fair representation of disadvantage groups requires their presence in elected assemblies. Representation as currently understood derives its legitimacy from a politics of ideas, which considers accountability in relation to declared policies and programmes, and makes it a matter of relative indifference who articulates political preferences or beliefs. What happens to the meaning of representation and accountability when we make the gender or ethnic composition of elected assemblies an additional area of concern? In this innovative contribution to the theory of representation - which draws on debates about gender quotas in Europe, minority voting rights in the USA, and the multi-layered politics of inclusion in Canada - Anne Phillips argues that the politics of ideas is an inadequate vehicle for dealing with political exclusion. But eschewing any essentialist grounding the group identity or group interest, she also argues against any either/or choice between ideas and political presence. This book is intended for scholars and students working in political theory and philosophy, especially democratic theory; political scientists; feminist theorists; constitutional lawyers; theorists of minority rights.

Review: "The strength of Phillip's book lies in its ability to theorize the political in an empirically and historically informed manner."--Choice

"It would be a pity if the title of this book caused it to be overlooked, for there is much to stimulate thought and ideas within its pages."--Talking Politics

"The strength of Phillip's book lies in its ability to theorize the political in an empirically and historically informed manner."--Choice

"It would be a pity if the title of this book caused it to be overlooked, for there is much to stimulate thought and ideas within its pages."--Talking Politics

"The strength of Phillip's book lies in its ability to theorize the political in an empirically and historically informed manner."--Choice

"It would be a pity if the title of this book caused it to be overlooked, for there is much to stimulate thought and ideas within its pages."--Talking Politics

"The strength of Phillip's book lies in its ability to theorize the political in an empirically and historically informed manner."--Choice

"It would be a pity if the title of this book caused it to be overlooked, for there is much to stimulate thought and ideas within its pages."--Talking Politics