Oleg Ev. Zuev

National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University (Saransk, Russia),

 e-mail: sura75_2010@mail.ru

 

The Principle of Representation as a Derivative of the Problem of Popular Will

 

Abstract

Introduction. The concept of  “popular will” occupies a central place in political philosophy, yet its interpretation remains highly contested. Liberal political thought typically equates representation with legislative power, thereby narrowing the spectrum of legitimate institutional expressions of popular sovereignty. In light of contemporary transformations of democracy and political participation, a reconsideration of these categories appears increasingly relevant. The article seeks to reveal the relationship between different ontological assumptions – atomistic and holistic – and their influence on the understanding of popular will and the institutional forms of representation.

Materials and Methods. The study employs comparative theoretical analysis of classical and modern philosophical concepts. This approach makes it possible to reconstruct the underlying assumptions of opposing traditions and to trace their impact on the interpretation of representation.

Results. The analysis demonstrates that a holistic orientation leads to the recognition of popular will as a unified phenomenon, thus expanding the scope of representative forms to include executive institutions, local self-government, and elected officials. In contrast, an atomistic orientation emphasizes the primacy of individual interests and confines representation largely to the legislative sphere.

Discussion and Conclusion. The study substantiates the necessity of moving beyond the narrow framework of the liberal tradition and outlines perspectives for analyzing new forms of political participation and legitimacy in the context of digitalization and democratic transformation.

Keywords: popular will, principle of representation, atomism, holism, liberal tradition, democracy, separation of powers, parliamentarism, single-person executive, fusion of powers, human rights, individualism.

For citation: Zuev O. E. The Principle of Representation as a Derivative of the Problem of Popular Will.  Gumanitarian: aktual’nye problemy gumanitarnoi nauki i obrazovaniia = Russian Journal of the Humanities. 2025; 25(4): 363–380. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.24412/2078-9823.072.025.202504.363-38

 

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