(N)one of us? The case for descriptive representation of the contemporary working class

This article departs from the normative-theoretical literature on descriptive representation, which argues that some disadvantaged groups need a special form of representation. Most proponents of a guaranteed presence of women or ethnic minorities, however, do not believe that their arguments equall...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWest European politics Vol. 45; no. 6; pp. 1361 - 1384
Main Authors Elsässer, Lea, Schäfer, Armin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Routledge 19.09.2022
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Cleavage
Disadvantaged
Ethnic groups
inequality
Labor relations
Marginality
Minority groups
Political change
political trust
Representation
responsiveness
Social class
Social classes
Women
Working class
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Summary:This article departs from the normative-theoretical literature on descriptive representation, which argues that some disadvantaged groups need a special form of representation. Most proponents of a guaranteed presence of women or ethnic minorities, however, do not believe that their arguments equally apply to social classes. The main reason is that the class cleavage historically structured many party systems, making 'class issues' extraordinarily present. However, party systems and industrial relations have vastly changed since then, altering the circumstances under which representation takes place. Evaluating the theoretical arguments for descriptive representation with the help of empirical insights on growing political marginalisation of lower-status classes, this article argues that the societal and political changes of the last decades justify descriptive representation of the contemporary working class.
ISSN:0140-2382
1743-9655
DOI:10.1080/01402382.2022.2031443