Rethinking Descriptive Representation: Queer Inclusion, Political Representation and Accountability

Abstract

In this dissertation, I defend the value of descriptive representatives in securing the inclusion of groups that have historically been excluded in politics and under-represented in parliaments. I address several objections to descriptive representatives, particularly the argument that they cannot be held accountable because they serve a symbolic role and are not directly elected by the groups they represent. I build on Iris Marion Young's framework of oppression and social justice to emphasize that these representatives are essential for countering dynamics of systemic marginalization and for developing inclusive policies that enable the full participation of oppressed social groups in public life. Using a contextualist approach, I make a case for the political inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the specific Canadian political system and representative institutions. I develop two key arguments to defend descriptive representation. First, I argue that descriptive representatives can promote a specific type of political interests, that I call “illegible” interests, which are marginalized within the public culture and therefore cannot be known by non-descriptive representatives. Second, I argue that descriptive representatives play a key role in decision-making, as aspirational decision-makers: they develop inclusive policies, and they take actions that correct the obstacles preventing the full participation of oppressed social groups in politics. Therefore, these representatives secure democratic inclusion while fostering an inclusive culture in parliaments, ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals feel represented and that their interests are effectively promoted in policymaking. I argue that descriptive representatives achieve all these objectives while meeting the standard of deliberative accountability, as proposed by Amy Gutmann & Dennis Thompson (1996). By performing a critical discourse analysis of 448 articles published in the Canadian press for the time period from 2008 until 2022, I demonstrate that these deliberations on LGBTQ+ issues happening in the public sphere serve as mechanisms of performance evaluation and selection of good representatives to promote LGBTQ+ political interests. In conclusion, having demonstrated that descriptive representatives are valuable representatives that can and should be accountable, I argue that democracies should put in place mechanisms of guaranteed representation to ensure their presence in parliaments.