(Im)Perfect Descriptive Representation: Slovenia in the Spotlight

Q2 Social Sciences

Politics in Central Europe Pub Date : 2022-06-01 DOI:10.2478/pce-2022-0012

L. Johannsen, Alenka Krašovec, Gregor Čehovin

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Abstract

Abstract The failure to ensure descriptive representation is one of the challenges facing democracy. In the literature, it is suggested that, among others, imperfect descriptive representation is connected to insufficient legitimacy as well as low trust in political institutions. This paper analyses the link between descriptive representation and both people’s satisfaction with the way democracy is working in practice and trust in political institutions in Slovenia which, despite 30 years of democratic rule, are characterised by persistent low trust and satisfaction levels. Considering longitudinal public opinion data and a database on the composition of the Slovenian parliament (eight terms) in terms of gender, age groups and education, we find that also in Slovenia especially women, the young, the elderly and those with a basic education are underrepresented, with this being reflected in trust in the parliament and people’s perception of the way in which democracy is working. Still, the fact such underrepresentation has continued for some time (regardless of certain changes) means these findings are only part of the explanation.

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（Im）完美的描述性表现：聚光灯下的斯洛文尼亚

摘要未能确保描述性代表性是民主面临的挑战之一。在文献中，有人认为，除其他外，不完美的描述性表述与合法性不足以及对政治制度的信任度低有关。本文分析了描述性表征与人们对民主实践方式的满意度和对斯洛文尼亚政治机构的信任之间的联系，尽管斯洛文尼亚实行了30年的民主统治，但其特点是信任和满意度持续较低。考虑到纵向民意数据和斯洛文尼亚议会（八届）在性别、年龄组和教育方面的组成数据库，我们发现，在斯洛文尼亚，尤其是妇女、年轻人、老年人和受过基础教育的人的代表性不足，这反映在对议会的信任以及人们对民主运作方式的看法上。尽管如此，这种代表性不足的情况已经持续了一段时间（无论某些变化如何），这意味着这些发现只是解释的一部分。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Politics in Central Europe Social Sciences-Political Science and International Relations

CiteScore

1.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

20 weeks

期刊介绍： POLITICS IN CENTRAL EUROPE – The Journal of the Central European Political Science Association is an independent and internationally peer-reviewed scientific journal in political science and international relations. The Journal was established in 2005 as the scientific review that publishes scientific essays, book reviews and information about conferences and other events connected with Central European issues. POLITICS IN CENTRAL EUROPE publishes politics, policy analysis, international relations and other sub-disciplines of political original, peer-reviewed manuscripts that provide scientific essays focusing on issues in comparative science, as well as original theoretical or conceptual analyses. All essays must contribute to a broad understanding of the region of Central Europe. Our goal is to give scholars from Central Europe and beyond the opportunity to present the results of their research.