Delegate and Trustee Models Flashcards
What is the Delegate model of democracy?
Voters elect a representative and instruct them to vote according to the wishes of the voters on any given issue. Trade unions and other organisations often use this so that members of local branches have an influence on policy and decision-making
What are the problems with the Delegate model of democracy?
Those chosen are prevented from using their knowledge or skills to make the best decisions. The majority of citizens may make decisions in their interests, ignoring the rights and interests of minorities in their constituency
What is the Trustee model of democracy?
Voters elect a representative to make decisions on their behalf. The assumption is that the representative will have more time, expertise, access to resources and the opportunity to hear the views of other representatives and are therefore better able to make decisions in the people’s interests than the people themselves
What are the problems with the Trustee model of democracy?
Representatives might ignore the wishes of the voters once elected. They may be more subject to influence by other representatives and interests in and around the govt (elites) rather than the people who elect them
