Author:

Alexandre de Moraes

Introduction:

This study focuses on the difficulties of political representation as a cornerstone of democracy. Through a brief analysis of democratic concepts and political representation, it will be observed that the crisis of popular representation and the very organization and functioning of political parties – which have failed to evolve into effective instruments for representing the people’s interests in Parliament – ​​has encouraged the emergence and strengthening of new avenues for popular representation in the state’s decision-making process. Thus, alongside the return of older forms of semi-direct democracy, state political life is increasingly witnessing the participation of civil society itself in political decision-making, sometimes in an organized manner (associations, pressure groups, the right to petition), sometimes in a disorganized and ephemeral way, exercising the right to assembly and demonstration (marches in defense of specific issues). From merely representative democracy we move to participatory democracy, where alongside traditional political parties, we find civil society itself attempting to realize the sovereign will of the people in the manifestations of the state. This study will briefly consider this complex issue, in order to, by pointing out some existing problems, think about a new model for improving political representation in the State, and, in particular, for bringing political parties closer to the people.