Includes bibliographical references and index.

Diversity without democracy, the theory of the variety of suffrages, part one : institutions and sociologies -- Diversity without democracy, the theory of the variety of suffrages, part two : values and criticisms -- Democracy, diversity, and contestability : democracy against the variety of suffrages -- Diversity with democracy? Proportional representation, part one : concepts and techniques -- Diversity with democracy? Proportional representation, part two : the debate on PR's moral and political effects.

"In contemporary politics and political theory, democracy is often associated with descriptive representation. Whether it goes under this name or such cognate labels as the "politics of presence," "indicative" representation, or simply "group" representation, it has become commonplace to treat concern about the presence of a range of social groups in legislatures and other institutions as intrinsic to a commitment to democracy itself. Today, anxieties about a "democratic deficit" often stem from a complaint that the composition of political bodies does not reflect the important divisions within society at-large"-- Provided by publisher.