In The Good Representative, Suzanne Dovi argues that democratic citizens should assess their representatives by their display of three virtues: they must be fair-minded, build critical trust, and be good gatekeepers.
This important book provides standards for evaluating the democratic credentials of representatives.
Identifies the problems with and obstacles to good democratic representation.
Argues that democratic representation, even good democratic representation, is not always desirable.
Timely and original, this book rejects the tendency to equate respect for the preferences of citizens with neutrality on the standards used in choosing their representatives.
About the Author
Suzanne Dovi is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Arizona. Her research interests include democratic theory, representation (especially the representation of historically disadvantaged groups), feminist theory, and normative concepts such as hypocrisy, guilt, and despair. Her work has appeared in American Political Science Review, Constellations, Journal of Politics, and Polity.
Features
This important book provides standards for evaluating the democratic credentials of representatives.
Identifies the problems with and obstacles to good democratic representation.
Argues that democratic representation, even good democratic representation, is not always desirable.
Timely and original, this book rejects the tendency to equate respect for the preferences of citizens with neutrality on the standards used in choosing their representatives.
