Download full text
(144.9Kb)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-61322-4
Exports for your reference manager
Is there a sound democratic case for raising the membership of young people in political parties and trade unions through descriptive representation?
[journal article]
Abstract Young people are seriously under-represented in both political parties and trade unions. I argue that a dependent conception of democracy interested in substantive equality, not merely formal equality, would support addressing this problem through descriptive representation. The essay begins by cons... view more
Young people are seriously under-represented in both political parties and trade unions. I argue that a dependent conception of democracy interested in substantive equality, not merely formal equality, would support addressing this problem through descriptive representation. The essay begins by considering the requirements of democracy, and whether these can support a case for descriptive representation. Although descriptive representation entails democratic costs, there is a contingent case for group representation that is consistent with the aims of democracy. Young people, moreover, satisfy this case in terms of membership of political parties - but less so in the case of trade unions. Finally, the essay considers practical methods for improving young people’s representation in these.... view less
Keywords
adolescent; young adult; representation; young representation; party; membership; trade union; equality of rights; democracy
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
descriptive representation; substantive equality
Document language
English
Publication Year
2018
Page/Pages
p. 79-91
Journal
Intergenerational Justice Review, 4 (2018) 2
Issue topic
How attractive are political parties and trade unions to young people? (Part I)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.24357/igjr.4.2.703
ISSN
2190-6335
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed