Apology for representative democracy

Abstract

The text explores representative democracy as a complex and essential political model for modern states. It discusses the historical and philosophical roots of political representation, distinguishing it from direct democracy and examining contemporary challenges, such as the influence of political parties and tensions with direct citizen participation. The author emphasizes the strengths of representative democracy, including its ability to integrate diverse interests through parliamentary deliberation, while acknowledging its limitations, such as party control and social discontent. Complementary mechanisms like regulated referendums are proposed to enhance citizen engagement.