Difference Between Descriptive and Substantive Representation

The main difference between descriptive and substantive representation is that in descriptive representation, representatives have similar backgrounds to the people they represent, whereas, in substantive representation, representatives focus on the issues of a particular group.

Descriptive representation and substantive representation are two forms of representations seen in indirect democracy or representative democracy. In both these forms, citizens of a state vote on representatives to create laws and policy on behalf of them. The main difference between descriptive and substantive representation is the connection between the representatives and people.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Representative Democracy
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Descriptive Representation
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is Substantive Representation
     – Definition, Characteristics
4. What are the Similarities Between Descriptive and Substantive Representation
     – Outline of Common Features
5. What is the Difference Between Descriptive and Substantive Representation
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Representative Democracy, Descriptive Representation, Substantive Representation

What is Representative Democracy

Representative democracy or indirect democracy is a form of democracy where citizens of a state vote on representatives to create laws and policy on behalf of them. It is the direct opposite of direct democracy. In this form of democracy, citizens do not get directly involved in creating laws and policies and other government matters. Instead, they elect officials who perform these duties on their behalf. Nearly all modern democracies are representative democracies. The United States, the United Kingdom, India, and France are some countries with such a democratic system.

Furthermore, the powers of the elected officials are curtailed by the constitution of the country, which establishes the basic laws, policies and framework of the government. However, officials or representatives elected through citizens’ vote also have the power to select other representatives and government leaders such as a president and prime minister. 

Representative democracy has both advantages and disadvantages. It is efficient and empowers people, giving them the opportunity to select representatives who can make their voices heard by the national government. However, it is not always reliable since representatives may not always reflect the will of the people. Moreover, representatives may misuse their power and position, leading to massive-scale corruption.

What is Descriptive Representation

Descriptive representation is a representation in which representatives have similar backgrounds to the people they represent. It is based on the belief that constituents are more effectively represented by legislators who are similar to them in key demographic characteristics as gender, ethnicity, or religion. What happens here is that a group of people elects a representative who mirrors some of their own characteristics. For example, some gender-based groups or ethnic groups may want to elect a representative who shares these descriptive characteristics since they may be politically relevant. Therefore, descriptive representative primarily benefits disadvantaged groups.

Political parties can establish descriptive representation independently by setting aside a particular number of party seats for particular groups (women, oppressed ethical groups, etc. It is also possible to institute this type of representation by national electoral quotas by reserving candidate quotas for political parties. In fact, quotas have been traditionally considered as a way of providing adequate representation for disadvantaged groups. Another way of establishing quotas is by creating a maximum quota for advantaged groups. However, some studies have shown that this system shows no productive effects.

What is Substantive Representation

Substantive representation is a type of political representation where representatives focus on the issues of a particular group. Moreover, this is based on the belief that elected legislators will advocate on behalf of certain groups, no matter what their shared characteristics will be. For example, the representative will support a law against Jews, even if he is Jewish.

Similarities Between Descriptive and Substantive Representation

• In both forms, people vote on representatives to create laws and policy on behalf of them.
• If people are not satisfied with their representatives, they can vote them out of office during the next election.

Difference Between Descriptive and Substantive Representation

Definition

Descriptive representation is a form of representation where representatives have similar backgrounds to the people they represent, whereas substantive representation is a form of representation where representatives focus on the issues of a particular group.

Representatives

In descriptive representation, representatives have similar backgrounds (gender, race, religion, etc.) to the people they represent. However, in substantive representation, it is not necessary for the representative to have a similar background or shared characteristics with the people he represents.

Conclusion

In brief, descriptive representation and substantive representation are two forms of representative democracy. In descriptive representation, representatives have similar backgrounds to the people they represent, whereas, in substantive representation, representatives focus on the issues of a particular group. Thus, this is the main difference between descriptive and substantive representation.

Reference:

1. Longley, Robert. “What Is Representative Democracy? Definition, Pros, and Cons.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 20 Mar. 2019, Available here.
2. “Representation (Politics).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Dec. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “1444335” (CC0) via Pxhere