MAN-MPOL040
Political Representation and its Challenges
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleMAN-MPOL040
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Nijmegen School of Management; Master Political Science;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
dr. M.J. Meijers
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. M.J. Meijers
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. M.J. Meijers
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. M.J. Meijers
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2022
Period
1-2  (05/09/2022 to 29/01/2023)
Starting block
1
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
At the completion of this course, students will be are capable of:

1. explaining and discussing different understandings of democratic representation;
2. explaining important theories and concepts used in the scientific debates concerning political
representation;
3. understanding the methodological approaches used in the study of political representation;
4. applying important scientific debates and concepts used in the study of representative democ-
racy with respect to current social and political developments;
5. identifying and discussing structural inequalities in political representation today
6. working with empirical academic (quantitative and qualitative) research on core themes
within comparative politics related to the functioning of political representation in present-
day democracies;
7. communicating and presenting relevant research on current developments and issues to both
an academic and a non-academic audience.
Content
In this course, we will learn to re ect on and discuss the nature and quality of political representation
in modern democracies and beyond. The class is structured as a combination of seminars and guest
lectures. Throughout the course, students will be presented with both theoretical readings and
empirical readings on the nature and quality of present day representation.
The seminar starts with a theoretical reflection on what political representation is. What does it
mean to be represented in the political realm? And what duties are associated with being a political
representative? We will re ect on the question whether political parties are necessary vehicles for
representation, or whether citizens can be represented through different means, too.
Subsequently, we will examine and discuss the extent to which and the mechanisms through which
political representation works in modern (Western) democracies. Is there evidence that politicians
listen to citizens? If there is evidence of such political responsiveness, are all citizens equally likely
to be `responded' to? Are women equally well represented as men, are women equally able to run
for public office? Are ethnic minorities on an equal footing with the remainder of society in terms
of political representation? In addition, we turn to the question whether representation works for
all income groups and educational classes, or are our parliaments { as radical right politician Geert
Wilders posited { `fake parliaments' representing only the well-off and well-educated?
We will also discuss non-electoral forms of democracy. We will examine and discuss the efficacy of
1
protest movements, the role of labour movements and strikes in political representation, and the way
the prevalence of social media has changed the nature of political representation. In addition, the
course will also turn to pressing issues that challenge political representation. We will discuss the
impact of niche or challenger parties on the quality of representation. Moving beyond the Western
context, we focus on how clientelism affects the quality of representation in Latin America.
All in all, the course gives students insight into the major political science debates on political
representation and helps them to apply theoretical notions of representation to current issues and
affairs in different ways.
Level

Presumed foreknowledge

Test information
  • Attendance is mandatory. If you miss more than two sessions without a valid reason, you cannot complete the course.
  • Assignment in pairs: Class presentation (Pass/Fail) Passing is mandatory to complete this course.
  • Assignment in pairs: Creative assignment (30%)
  • Final exam (70 %) (digital exam) Partial results stay valid. Participation: Active participation in class can result in a bonus point on the final grade.
  • Specifics

    Level
    Ma 1

    Required materials
    Literature
    A list with articles available on the internet will be presented a few weeks before the course starts.

    Instructional modes
    Lecture
    Attendance MandatoryYes

    Working group
    Attendance MandatoryYes

    Tests
    Final Exam
    Test weight70
    Test typeDigital exam with CIRRUS
    OpportunitiesBlock 2, Block 3

    Remark
    Digital Exam

    Project Assignment
    Test weight30
    Test typeProject
    OpportunitiesBlock 2, Block 3