Demographic versus Substantive Representation?

Question

description of each...would be helpful :)

Answer 1

Demographic representation, arguably one of the more controversial forms of representation, is a type of representation where the characteristics (demographics) of the legislators proportionally reflect those of the population being represented. This theory of representation is based on a belief that only a representative similar to the constituent can understand the concerns of that constituent. Many also believe that some policy issues are related to certain demographic groups, and therefore will not be adequately addressed unless individuals from those groups are involved in policy making. Some of the demographic groups under consideration for representation can be as limited as just gender and race or as inclusive as gender, race, education, marital status, number of children, occupation, and religion. The limited level of demographics will be considered for evaluating the level of demographic representation in the U.S. legislatures.

Substantive representation (in contrast to descriptive representation) is a concept in the legislative branches of representative republics describing the tendency of representatives to advocate for certain groups. Often, their area of advocacy is in contrast to their background, such as U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy's advocacy for the poor; Kennedy is a scion of one of the richest families in Massachusetts. Constituents vote for representatives by looking at policy stances and past efforts as a representative.