Crisi della rappresentanza e mandato imperativo

The essay deals with the crisis of representation, manifesting itself through the growth of abstentions and protest vote. On the one hand, the crisis concerns the loss of confidence of citizens towards their representatives, on the other the lack of democratic representativeness in assemblies elected with majoritarian electoral systems. Today some form of imperative mandate are often proposed as a possible remedy to the tendency of deputies and councilors to "betray" their electors. The author examines the reasons that have been put forward for and against this form of representation throughout history, from authors such as Rousseau, Siéyes, Burke, Marx, Max Adler. The imperative mandate was typical of pre-modern parliaments. Its overcoming is due to two factors, the first of a technical nature, the second of a political nature. On a technical level, greatly widening the range of issues covered by the legislation, it becomes impossible to predict in advance what the discussion will focus on. Moreover, it would be problematic continually suspending the sessions because the representatives have to come back from their constituents asking for an additional mandate. On the political front, with the advent of universal suffrage there is the problem of finding a compromise between the various interests and opinions represented in parliament. According to the theorists of Five stars Movement, led by Beppe Grillo, some of these difficulties disappear with the digital revolution, allowing representatives to remain in constant contact with their voters. It would therefore be desirable to amend art. 67 of the Italian Constitution, introducing the imperative mandate and the possibility of revocation of representatives (recall). The author criticizes these positions, confirming the validity of the classical objections against the imperative mandate. She also observes that the imperative mandate requires collective subjects with a definite identity and an already formed will, that delegates should merely be spokemen of. The imperative mandate has worked, at least in part, where something like that existed, as in Porto Alegre. This is not the case of Five stars Movement, which brought together around Beppe Grillo's blog right and left people.