The article discusses boundaries of democratization of the representational system of government. Whereas in the institutions of representation, as they exist at present, radical theorists of participatory democracy perceive a basic obstacle for greater civic activity, most theorists of minority emancipation see there the exclusion mechanism. In extreme cases the first group wants to replace the institution of representation with the institution of organized, systematic deliberation; the latter wants at least to change it, providing the minority with the seats in the representative bodies. In his attitude to these postulates the author reveals some sympathies, but even more reserve, indicating these functions of representation–legitimacy of the political system, institutionalization of sovereignty, but also institutional limitation of power, which in discussed projects focusing on increased civic activity, remain unnoticed or are treated quite ideologically.
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