ABSTRACT

By conjoining theorizing and analyzing existing empirical research results, the article aims at situating representation and responsiveness within the Weberian notion of plebiscitary leader democracy (PLD). In unison with the ‘sensorial turn’ in political theory, it proceeds by adopting the touch metaphor as an analytical lens to help us capture aspects of responsiveness in contemporary PLD. By distinguishing between two forms of touch (‘groping around’ and a ‘continuous light touch’), we map the opportunities of creative leadership to form popular preferences while also showing the boundaries of how far the representative process can constitute the identity and preferences of the represented. Additionally, the article gestures towards the potential normative merits of the touch metaphor by connecting it to the notion of ‘tactfulness’ borrowed from carnal hermeneutics. Situated within the Weberian economy of leadership qualities, tactfulness can help differentiate between more democratic and more authoritarian forms of PLD.

摘要

通过结合理论和分析现有的实证研究结果，本文旨在将代表性和响应性置于韦伯的公民投票领袖民主（PLD）概念中。与政治理论中的“感官转向”相一致，它采用触摸隐喻作为分析镜头，帮助我们捕捉当代 PLD 中响应性的各个方面。通过区分两种形式的接触（“摸索”和“持续的轻微接触”），我们绘制了创造性领导力形成大众偏好的机会，同时也展示了代表过程可以在多大程度上构成人们的身份和偏好的界限。所代表的。此外，这篇文章通过将触摸隐喻与借用肉体解释学的“机智”概念联系起来，表明了触摸隐喻的潜在规范优点。在韦伯式的领导素质经济中，机智可以帮助区分更民主和更专制的 PLD 形式。