Reconfiguring Pluralism: Identity and Institutions in the Inegalitarian Polity

This essay brings together two contemporary literatures: theories of pluralism that focus our attention on inequality between groups and theories of identity that emphasize its multiple and constructed character. I use these debates to construct a lens through which to analyze the institutional repr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of political science 1999-01, Vol.43 (1), p.86-108
Main Author: Bickford, Susan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citizenship
Deconstruction
Democracy
EQUALITY OR INEQUALITY
Feminism
Group identity
Identity
Identity politics
Inequality
Institutions
MINORITY GROUPS
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Normativity
Pluralism
Political candidates
Political identity
Political pluralism
Political representation
Political Science
Political systems
POLITICAL THEORY
Public good
REFORM, REFORMERS
REPRESENTATION
Self interest
Social movements
Social structure
Society
Theory
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Description
Summary:This essay brings together two contemporary literatures: theories of pluralism that focus our attention on inequality between groups and theories of identity that emphasize its multiple and constructed character. I use these debates to construct a lens through which to analyze the institutional representation of disadvantaged groups. Group identity is orchestrated and produced in part through political institutional processes; thus attempts at democratic reform have to address normative questions about what forms of citizenship should be produced and enabled by representative institutions. I argue that representative reforms must take into account multiple forms of political collectivity and provide political space for citizens to deliberate about the effects of social structures on their lives and identities. Democratic theorists cannot treat group identity as fixed, but neither can we dismiss "identity politics." Guinier's (1994) model enables a multiple and variegated citizen identity, encourages coalitions between groups, and has the potential to engender citizen action beyond the electoral moment.
ISSN:0092-5853
1540-5907
DOI:10.2307/2991786