Chapter 8, The Mirror of Representation Summary

The form representation should take is the big issue at the Convention. The thinking is that the representatives should not only represent the people, they should be mirror images of the people. The problem is how are they to accomplish this? An alternative view is that the representative should be experienced and an independent thinker that people want to represent them. This leads the Convention into examining the duties and functions of the lawmaker. Does the lawmaker exist to protect citizens from government or does he provide the mechanism through which citizens obtain the enactment of productive and gainful legislation? These are the issues discussed at the Convention and also during the period of ratification.

An examination of the British system of representation reveals what the framers found to be good and bad in it...