Rethinking Democratic Norms in Responsiveness Theory: A New Understanding and Its Applicability to Nonliberal Democratic Scenarios

Abstract

Traditional responsiveness theories are grounded in democratic norms, which limit responsiveness to a unidirectional process and suggest it is a product of liberal democracy. These norms not only conflict with empirical findings but also fail to capture the richness of the concept of responsiveness. This article challenges these norms by proposing a new understanding of responsiveness. More specifically, this research takes into account the interests of the represented and systematically develops a notion of bidirectional responsiveness, according to which political representatives influence the preferences of the represented through dialogue and consultation and respond to these preferences. This understanding leads to a revised definition of responsiveness and a fourfold typology that divides this notion into admissible, investigative, deliberative, and leading categories. I analyse two cases in China to demonstrate the applicability of this understanding in nonliberal democratic scenarios. Thus, this article advances an innovative theory of responsiveness, deepening our understanding of the role played by this notion in real-world contexts.