Representing Silence in Politics

Abstract

Democratic representation focuses onvoice: it conceives voice as that which is represented and as the prime mode of representing. This article argues that this focus is problematic and turns instead tosilenceto ask a fundamental question: Can representation empower citizens from their silent positions? I approach the question in three parts. First, I offer a new conceptualization of silence, arguing that silence is best understood as the site of a potential or actualpresence.Second, I use criteria of domination and displaced involvement to assess attempts to enfranchise silence within the transmission-belt model of representation. Third, I critically engage and strengthen constructivist views of representation by developing these criteria to assess the legitimacy of claims to represent—speakaboutandfor—silent constituencies—namely, the claim to represent an (alleged) silent majority.