Reconfiguring pluralism: Identity and institutions in the inegalitarian polity

This essay brings together two contemporary literatures: theories of pluralism that focus our attention on inequality between groups and theories of identity that emphasize its multiple and constructed character. I use these debates to construct a lens through which to analyze the institutional representation of disadvantaged groups. Group identity is orchestrated and produced in part through political institutional processes; thus attempts at democratic reform have to address normative questions about what forms of citizenship should be produced and enabled by representative institutions. I argue that representative reforms must take into account multiple forms of political collectivity and provide political space for citizens to deliberate about: the effects of social structures on their lives and identities. Democratic theorists cannot treat group identity as fixed; but neither can we dismiss "identity politics." Guinier's (1994) model enables a multiple and variegated citizen identity, encourages coalitions between groups, and has the potential to engender citizen action beyond the electoral moment.