Representation of the Electorate in the Eerste Kamer

An Analysis of Political Representation in the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament

Abstract

This paper aims to assess to what extent the Eerste Kamer, one of the chambers of the Dutch parliament, provides political representation. This is done by comparing three models of political representation to the political reality. These three models are the trustee, the delegate, and the resemblance models. All three models and their respective characteristics are explained in the paper before moving to the analysis. The paper concludes that political representation is not realized through these three models in the instance of the Eerste Kamer, as it fails to fulfil key characteristics of all three. The paper also evaluates some possible solutions for increasing political representation in light of these models.

Keywords: Delegate, Eerste Kamer, Trustee, Political Representation