Identity, representation and the 'acceptable face' of equalities policy making in Britain. (1st February 2016) - Afridi, Asif
Abstract : Equalities-based public policy making in Britain is informed heavily by forms of 'descriptive representation' (seeking representatives with particular identities or attributes that can speak on behalf of traditionally excluded groups in the wider population). But descriptive representation alone is a relatively conservative aim for the progress of equality and social justice. Efforts to purposefully advance aspects of 'substantive' and 'symbolic' representation could help respond to doubts about the impact that descriptive representation alone has on the advancement of equality in public policy. Yet this paper argues that, ultimately, societal views about what 'equality' means present significant barriers to the advancement of a broader 'representation' agenda in this field of public policy.