The standard account has four main features.
First, representation is understood as
a principal agent relationship, in which the
principals—constituencies formed on a territorial
basis—elect agents to stand for and
act on their interests and opinions, thus separating
the sources of legitimate power from
those who exercise that power. Second, electoral
representation identifies a space within
which the sovereignty of the people is identified
with state power. Third, electoral mechanisms
ensure some measure of responsiveness
to the people by representatives and political
parties who speak and act in their name. Finally,
the universal franchise endows electoral
representation with an important element of
political equality.