Social Progress and Democratic Representation

• In Event: Rethinking Society for the 21st Century from Latin America

Abstract

Social progress on a wide range of issues requires that citizens and civil society groups achieve effective representation through democratic channels. Although many types of societal organizations can perform representative functions, political parties have long been seen as vital agents of representation that mediate between states and societies. Parties historically articulated and aggregated diverse societal interests, structured electoral competition, developed policy alternatives, and formed national governments. As such, parties were essential institutions for holding governments accountable to societal interests and preferences. In recent times, however, the ability of parties to perform these representative functions is increasingly challenged in many parts of the world, under both new and established democratic regimes. These challenges call for a reassessment of the institutional channels that societal actors use to gain access to formal electoral and policymaking arenas.

Author

• Kenneth M Roberts, Cornell University