Political representation theory: Concept, history, philosophy

This paper is based on the basic argument that the concept of "political representation" is one of the most central concepts of political theory (theoretical and institutional politics). In this respect, the paper has a conceptual characteristics. The argument goes on within a certain plan and in chapters, addressing respectively the etymology, history, philosophical arguments and theoretical variety of the notion. The last chapter contains the contemporary discussions and new developments. Hereunder;The paper begins in the first chapter by seeking out the etymological origins of the notion of "political representation." Then the historical development of the notion is addressed, after which the support provided by institutional structures such as councils, courts and parliaments are studied with regards to the historical development of the notion. Once the notions, and the etymologies and histories of these notions are presented, Ancient Greece and Medieval Age are scrutinized in terms of the notion of representation and representative relationships.The second chapter contains the "classical" philosophical arguments that have been observed with regards to representation since the seventeenth century. In this chapter, we penetrate the complex, theoretical world of representation in which the theories are compiled under main topics within a certain systematics. This theoretical world, which is extremely dispersed, is compiled under five main topics.The last (third) chapter starts off by explaining what "modern (formal- democratic) representation" is. Also in this chapter is addressed the new developments that challenge the concept of classical representation. In this respect, writers such as Andrew Rehfeld, Frank Ankersmit, Michael Saward,Will Kymlicka, Melissa Williams, Monika Mokre, Stuart Hall, Jane Mansbridge, David Runciman and John Keane are studied in topics and other writers contributing to the subject are included where necessary.Key Words:1.The Concept of Political Representation2.History of Political Representation3.The Philosophy of Political Representation4.Theories of Political Representation5.Representation Substitution