ABSTRACT
Representation as a concept makes certain assumptions that are problematic. These affect the policymaking and functioning of political institutions. The first set of assumptions are related to representation of interests – that there are identifiable (women’s) interests, that (women) can represent. For women this raises issues about what are women’s interests when they are being constantly disturbed by categories of race, ethnicity and class, and whether women can be homogenized in terms of their sex/gender without regard to their race, ethnic and class positionings. Martha Nussbaum has emphasized the importance of equality and human rights as the irreducible minimum rights for women in the development of their capabilities (Nussbaum, 1995). Iris M. Young has addressed these issues through her exploration of the idea of group interests (1990). She suggests that group interests can be formulated by groups meeting as groups supported by public resources; that the interests thus formulated would be more ref lective of group concerns, securing greater legitimacy within the group. As such these interests should be made part of policy, and policymakers asked to justify their exclusion from processes of policymaking. As a final protection of interests, Young suggests that these more cohesive groups should have power of veto over policy affecting them. This analysis would presumably take account of class-based groups such as trade unions, though most research which has taken on board Young’s framework has focused on issues of race, ethnicity, sexuality and gender.
