Book Review: General Politics: Personal Representation: The Neglected Dimension of Electoral Systems

DOI10.1111/1478-9302.12016_68
Date01 May 2013
Published date01 May 2013
Subject MatterBook Review
Sovereign Justice: Global Justice in a World of Nations by Diogo P. Aurelio, Gabriele De Angelis and Regina Queiroz (eds). Berlin: De Gruyter, 2011. 250pp., 99.95, ISBN 978311024573 B O O K R E V I E W S
269
and economic liberalisation, there are nuances that
edited by Josep Colomer, is to overcome this approach
make food a subject for greater ethical concern.
by focusing on personal representation – defined as ‘the
The book opens with a convincing chapter which
personal quality of representatives’ (p. 7).
gives an overview of the world food economy. There is
The first chapter discusses the reasons why personal
some reference to a resistance and counter-argument to
representation has increasingly become a neglected
the dominant actors and these include alternative
analytical dimension. From this perspective, Colomer
movements promoting ‘fair trade’, ‘food sovereignty’
draws up a new classification of electoral systems
and a transformation of the rules, regulations and poli-
based on both party and personal representation, and
cies that govern the global food system. The dominant
distinguishes the latter within three broader categories:
narrative is a summary and synthesis of Clapp’s research
closed, semi-open or open. Each of these three forms is
into the macroeconomy of the food industry including
conceived by specific configurations of electoral
food aid, the US’ dominance in governing food supply
system.
and production, the World Trade Organization trade
The book then deals with an empirical examination
rules and price volatility.
of the prior configurations: single seat, closed party list,
The book is a readable explanation for the signifi-
preferential votes, ordinal rank and ordinal ballot (chs 3,
cant levels of control over food that have occurred
4, 7, 8 and 9). Chapters 2 and 5, in contrast, adopt a
unwittingly. Clapp is balanced in her presentation
more general perspective, dealing with, respectively,
which is illuminating and analytical but in terms of
candidate...

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