Abstract

This anthology is part of the Atherton Controversies Series which is designed to focus on controversial topics in the social sciences. Although the notion of "representation" has been a central one in political theory--especially since the seventeenth century--and has been discussed by a great variety of political theorists and philosophers, there has been a surprising lack of theoretical investigation into just what representation does or ought to mean. Pitkin has written a fine introduction that helps guide the reader through the historical and conceptual labyrinth of conflicting views. In addition to selections from such classic thinkers as Hobbes, Mill, Burke, and Rousseau, there are also a number of selections from contemporaries who have attempted to clarify and sort the various meanings of representation. This would serve as a fine supplementary text for a course in political theory or political philosophy.--R. J. B.