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Symbolic representation as a way of understanding contemporary politics

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2019

Abstract

Th e aim of this article is to introduce the concept of symbolic representation into a discussion about contemporary politics. Politics these days is transforming and departing from what we were used to in past decades.

Th ese changes naturally infl uence the way how we understand representation these days. Th e bond between those who represent and those who are represented is becoming vaguer and based more on the current articulation of this bond than pre-existing political identities.

Use of the concept of symbolic representation and the more important concept of the representative claim introduced by Michael Saward will be illustrated on the discourse of Tomio Okamura and his Freedom and Direct Democracy Party.