This chapter investigates the persistent crisis of representation in modern liberal democracies, highlighting its crucial link to declining satisfaction with democracy. While populism and polarization are often emphasized as central challenges for democracy, this study argues that they are symptomatic of a deeper crisis where political parties fail to effectively represent the electorate. The analysis posits that when political systems cannot align societal demands with institutional responsiveness, citizen discontent grows. This disconnect results from (and feedback into) the erosion of parties’ roles in aggregating interests, which are vital for fostering public trust and engagement in democratic processes. Using Chile as a case study, the chapter illustrates how a prolonged crisis of representation has emerged, reflected in a significant gap between citizens’ commitment to democratic ideals and their actual satisfaction with democratic institutions. The external validity of the argument is then explored through an exploratory excursus to other cases in Latin America, Europe, and Africa.