Why do we feel it is so important to be fairly represented in political life? Demands for justice by socially marginalized and politically under-represented groups-women, and some racial and cultural minority groups-frequently focus on the need for more comprehensive and meaningful forms of political representation. This course begins with an examination of traditional liberal arguments surrounding representation, especially the claim that political representation is fundamentally about articulating and defending the ideas, principles, and policies of a particular constituency and that the identity of the representative (his or her sex, race, ethnicity, class, etc.) is irrelevant. Next we turn to an assessment of recent claims about the importance of political "voice" and political presence, and particularly the assertion that representation of minority groups is best and perhaps only accomplished by members of that social group. We will also look at the politics of deliberation in the public sphere: whose voice carries weight, and how social, cultural and economic inequality and power relationships cut across communicative and deliberative practices in political life. Requirements: class participation and presentations, two 6- to 8-page essays, one 8- to 10-page paper. Prerequisite: one previous course in political theory, American politics, or comparative politics, or the permission of the instructor. Political Theory Subfield