ABSTRACT
This chapter looks back to the origins of representative government and explains how representative democracy created a space for elites to operate. It looks at the concept proposed by Schumpeter, as well as other concepts of elites in political science. Moving to the local level, the Chicago School and its successes in using empirical research are discussed. In light of the theoretical arguments cited and the empirical research conducted, an attempt is made to answer the question of why politicians believe that they should be the ones to make decisions. Why do they believe that only representative democracy is true and proper? Answers to these questions are explored through data from qualitative empirical research conducted among Polish decision-makers at the municipal level, including councilors, officials, and NGO activists. The narrative begins with a specific and extreme question about whether deliberative mini-publics could replace traditional institutions of representative democracy. The answers of the decision-makers were not surprising but helped establish their visions of local representative democracy, which became the starting point for further considerations undertaken in the book. In conclusion, the question is answered: Does innovation have the power to overcome political constraints?
