Non-majoritarian Institutions and Representation

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Many public policies are delivered by non-majoritarian institutions (NMIs) in which sometimes powerful policy actors may take major decisions, decoupled from traditional democratic procedures of representation, scrutiny, and accountability. NMIs have to strike a balance between independence and democratic accountability. This chapter traces the evolution of NMIs in our time, discusses their ‘counter-majoritarian difficulties’, and various ensuing strategies to enhance their representational nature. From the perspective of democratic governance, many scholars have been concerned about the democratic deficits relating to NMIs. However, NMIs fit much better in more liberal, monitory notions of democracy. They can provide a series of checks and balances that prevent corruption, abuse of power, and protect the rights of minorities. In that sense, NMIs are often seen as challenges to democracy while they, simultaneously, may help to safeguard democracies and to sanitize the behaviours of elected officials.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Political Representation in Liberal Democracies
EditorsRobert Rohrschneider, Jacques Thomassen
Place of PublicationOxford
PublisherOxford University Press
Chapter26
Pages511-525
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)9780198825081
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Aug 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Oxford University Press.

Keywords

  • Checks and balances
  • Democratic accountability
  • Governmental agencies
  • Non-majoritarian institutions
  • Regulatory authorities
  • Representation

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