All of this bleeds into the concept of political representation and how we can develop a movement that can achieve the goals of uniting people in achieving economic equality. Much of this section derives from the work of Lisa Disch, who discusses political representation in her work, Making Constituencies: Representation as Mobilization in Mass Democracy. As illustrated through her analysis of political representation, it is imperative to first recognize that support for political movements are not magically created; they are built through action and outreach. As Disch explains:
...a constituency is not a demographic fact but a political achievement. Constituencies are not simply ‘out there,’ except in the most formal sense as an aggregate defined by district lines. Acts of representation call them into being. They take shape out of an amorphous plurality of social relations when a movement, a leader, a message, or an event solicits their participation in conflict.” (p. 3, 2021)
Therefore, if a political movement is trying to find supporters, it must remove itself from the assumption that it can reach people just on ‘party lines.’ The people are not persuaded solely by party lines, but by what they perceive as their practical needs. You cannot reach the people by bringing up vague political ideas that may appeal to them. You must first understand what it is that they need, and then connect their needs to your political movement. If the movement does not attempt to address their needs directly (performing an act of representation), then they will not be persuaded to join. You must appeal to your constituents first, and your theories second.