Prompt
In a 4-5 page paper, respond to the following prompt. Be sure to respond to each part of the prompt.
Explain either Brutus’s or Madison’s theory of representation. Your discussion should include a statement of the author’s views about (a) what a representative is supposed to do or the function that a representative serves, (b) the qualities of a representative that enable her to perform these functions, (c) and the mechanisms by which a representative may become corrupt as well as the protections that are appropriate in preventing this corruption. In addition, explain how these features all address certain assumptions about human nature. Then draw on a contemporary example of representation to evaluate the author’s view: for a paper on Madison, show how the example highlights a difficulty in Madison’s view of representation; for a paper on Brutus, show how the issue points to a possible strength of his view. You may certainly contend in addition that Madison’s view has other strengths despite this weakness, or that Brutus’s view can’t be fully implemented without difficulties, but these points should not be a significant part of your analysis.
Remember that we are interested primarily in theoretical arguments – that is, arguments about the conceptual, logical, and principled claims the author makes, as well as the structure or strategy of those arguments. While modern or historical evidence may indicate a theoretical problem or virtue of a view, it should not be used as a definitive disproof or affirmation of the view.