Substantive representation

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Substantive representation (in contrast to descriptive representation) is a concept in the legislative branches of representative republics describing the tendency of representatives to advocate for certain groups. Often, their area of advocacy is in contrast to their background, such as U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy's advocacy for the poor; Kennedy is a scion of one of the richest families in Massachusetts. Constituents vote for representatives by looking at policy stances and past efforts as a representative.