The Concept of Representation in the Weimar Republic

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the concept of representation and to delimit the discussion that took place in the Weimar Republic. To do so, the author tracks the contributions of the principal theorists of political representation of those times. First, she analyzes the contrast between free representation and instructed representation that was warned by Max Weber. In second place, she focuses on the way in which Carl Schmitt linked this concept with the political ideas and political principles that are personified or illustrated through representation. After that, she deals with the symbolic role that according to Rudolf Smend representation plays in the process of integration and formation of political unity. Finally, she considers the link between representation and people’s will, emphasizing the importance of the social conditions as Hermann Heller taught. Consequently, this paper provides a bird’s eye view of the theoretical discussion about political representation and exposes the different aspects that were highlighted by the mentioned theorists.