In September of 2024 the Department of Politics gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the department.
The idea of representation is ubiquitous in politics. Most often we think of representation by elected officials, such as legislators and executive officers. We also speak of representation by the media and by unelected officials and interest groups. And we observe representation in nondemocratic states—representation without accountability. At the transnational level, citizens’ interests are represented by states, and sometimes by NGOs as well. Across all these spheres, representation can be more or less effective. It can go well or badly, so that misrepresentation also occurs.
A panel drawn from our faculty will consider political (mis)representation in the context of their particular research interests, and in political science more broadly. What is representation? What is the difference between representation that goes well or goes badly? What are the trends in the quality of representation in different areas of political life?
Panelists: Helen Milner, Tanushree Goyal, Leonard Wantchekon, Frances Lee, Paul Frymer, and Jan-Werner Müller
Moderator: Joe Stephens, Program in Journalism and Humanities Council