ABSTRACT
In spite of a few attempts to renew theoretical perspectives, the literature on political representation may be deemed quite repetitive and essentially normative. This is particularly obvious when the theme of political elites is brought into line. After having discussed such a trend in a first section, this contribution tries to suggest some new directions for study in relation to the question of the legitimacy of political elites in the contemporary world. The polysemic nature of the term representation is widely recognized and we know that in English it may refer to (i) perceptions and conceptions, (ii) mechanisms of delegation, and (iii) performances – in the sense of ‘staged’. This is often viewed as a problem by scholars dealing with political representation who fear that a seemingly solid notion might disappear behind uncontrolled shifts in meaning. However, it can be held to the contrary that the very nature of this type of relationship depends on how it is perceived by both the representatives and the represented. It is also the outcome of the way in which representatives defend the interest of the represented, as well as how they present themselves and those they claim to embody. Concentrating mainly on the issue of the degree of autonomy of elites as representatives, the chapter underlines how a nuanced comparative approach is requested in this respect.
