Political Representation

About

The Political Representation Standing Group addresses issues of political representation broadly conceived, from different theoretical perspectives and involving different disciplines. A more systematic effort in bringing together scholars in the field of political representation is much needed in order to overcome the fragmentation that currently characterises the study of this topic. The Standing Group therefore brings together a mix of scholars who share similar research interests in a variety of sub-disciplinary areas (for instance, democratic theory, European integration theory, EU politics, parliaments, parties, civil society organisations, political sociology) to take each others' insights into consideration.

Aims & Objectives

The Standing Group aims to facilitate scientific exchange between the participants and support their networking, bringing together a mix of scholars who share similar research interests in a variety of sub-disciplinary areas (democratic theory, European integration theory, EU politics, parliaments, parties, civil society organisations, political sociology). The Standing Group invites new ways of thinking and conceptualising political representation that are likely to emerge as a result of these interactions, thereby contributing to innovative conceptualisations of political representation as well as to connecting interested scholars beyond traditional disciplinary and theoretical boundaries.

The Standing Group will explore contemporary challenges to the standard account of political representation. It is interested both in traditional and more recent actors of political representation as well as in their interactions; in political representation at all levels of governance; in methodological advances in the research of political representation; and in normative thinking about desirable criteria for political representation, within states, for supranational organisations such the EU, and globally. Importantly, the Standing Group seeks to bring together these different research strands, from different disciplines and sub-disciplines, in order to facilitate a better understanding of contemporary processes of political representation.

Activities

Planned future activities are as follows:

• A platform for information on recently published research, planned or ongoing projects and events, allowing for easy identification of potential project partners;
• A blog to exchange views on topics of political representation;
• An e-mail list;
• Panels and Workshops at ECPR events, and also at APSA, PSA, CES, EUSA etc. conferences. It will seek to use these larger conferences to bring together participants of the Standing Group to discuss latest developments in research, teaching, and administration;
• At least one workshop per year, independently of these major conferences. This workshop shall provide an opportunity to develop grant proposals and joint publications.