Rethinking Representation (2003), by Jane Mansbridge

Jane Mansbridge's ‘Rethinking Representation’ (2003) significantly expanded the traditional understanding of political representation by introducing three additional forms to the classic ‘promissory’ model: ‘anticipatory’, ‘gyroscopic’ and ‘surrogate’. While these forms of representation had already been explored empirically, Mansbridge was the first to assess them from a normative perspective, bridging the gap between empirical research and democratic theory. Her work aligned with a growing interest in political representation within normative democratic theory, underscoring the need for pluralistic criteria to evaluate representation. This entry summarises the four models Mansbridge proposes in the article and the democratic norms they are expected to fulfil. It also examines the scholarly debate her work has generated, exploring how discussions on political representation have evolved since the article's publication. By reconsidering representation in light of empirical realities, Mansbridge's framework remains an essential reference for both normative theorists and empirical researchers.