Chi non è, e chi non vuole essere, rappresentato

To deal with the theme of the «unrepresented» it is necessary to clarify what we mean by representation. Depending on whether a formal, substantial, descriptive or symbolic concept of representation is adopted, in fact, the answer to the question: «Who are the unrepresented?» changes. Based on a formal concept, the unrepresented are those formally excluded from political rights. On the basis of a substantial conception, instead, they too can be considered represented, if there is someone who pursues their interests in the institutions. According to a descriptive concept, an assembly selected through the draw must be considered representative. The same can be said of a leader in whom a community identifies itself symbolically. The author claims that the adoption of exclusively substantial, descriptive or symbolic conceptions of representation involves many problems from the point of view of democratic theory, and therefore adopts a formal perspective. According to it, the unrepresented can be divided into three categories: a) who has not the right to elect representatives; b) who has this right, but fails to elect his or her own representative; c) who has this right but doesn’t exercise it. The first category includes foreign residents without citizenship in democratic countries. The author argues that discrimination against them is not rationally justifiable, because it cannot be based on any of the classic arguments developed to limit political rights (such as lack of capacity, independence, or interest). The second category includes those who vote, but don’t contribute to the election of anyone representing them. The existence of this category raises the problem of distorting electoral laws, and the issue of the size of representative assemblies. The third category includes those who don’t exercise their political rights. A worrying sign that the vote by many is no longer perceived as a vehicle for change.