Representation

Question 1

What are the two models of representation?

Answer 1

1. Delegate Model

2. Trustee Model

Question 2

What does the delegate model stress?

Answer 2

the importance of responsiveness mirroring as best as possible the interests of the represented.

Question 3

What does the delegate model advocate for?

Answer 3

representatives to represent the members of your constituency.

Question 4

What does the delegate model respond to?

Answer 4

the needs and wants of the constituency

Question 5

What is the delegate model’s first premise?

Answer 5

that the representative democracy is a necessary, but highly imperfect, substitute for direct democracy.

Question 6

What is the goal of the delegate model?

Answer 6

should be to maximize responsiveness in an effort to approximate the outcomes that would result from direct democracy

Question 7

What principle may best fit the delegate model of representation?

Answer 7

adheres to the idea that the actions of the representatives should not be at odds with the wishes of the represented.

Question 8

The delegate model adheres to___.

Answer 8

majoritarianism

Question 9

Which is more conservative, the delegate or the trustee model?

Answer 9

the trustee model

Question 10

What does the trustee model reject?

Answer 10

The suggestion that good political representation is merely responsive representation

Question 11

What is representative democracy, according to the trustee model?

Answer 11

Is not merely a second-rate alternative to direct democracy, that the virtue of representative democracy is that it provides a unique opportunity for a select group o trustees of the public interest to meet and thoughtfully discuss issues of governance in the deliberative chambers of Parliament.

Question 12

What is the role of the trustee?

Answer 12

Is not to necessarily mirror specific community interests but instead work together with other elected representatives to find solutions for the common good.

Question 13

For a trustee, representative democracy is, moreover, and opportunity to do what?

Answer 13

Make wise decisions that are not constrained by the short term–and perhaps ill informed–wishes of the population.

Question 14

What is plebiscitary democracy acc. to Mintz?

Answer 14

“A former democracy in which citizens have greater control that in representative democracy through the use of such devices as referendums, citizens’ initiatives, and recall elections (and initiatives).”

Question 15

What is an example of plebiscitary democracy?

Answer 15

Marijuana legalization in California

-ballot initiatives

Question 16

What is beneficial about plebiscitary democracy?

Answer 16

Politicians are often reluctant to be on public record for a specific stance

Question 17

What must be done for an initiative in order to qualify for the ballot?

Answer 17

The initiative measure must be signed by a specified number of registered voters depending on the type of initiative measure submitted.

Question 18

What is an initiative statue/

Answer 18

Editions proposing initiative statues must be signed by registered voters. The numbers of signatures must be equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.

Question 19

What are the benefits of ballot initiatives?

Answer 19

• increase interests –> engaged in an issue –> go out and vote
• bring it to the people

Question 20

What are the negatives to ballot initiatives?

Answer 20

• are we capable of deciding on complex issues?
• task of voting may be a burden (ballots of multiple pages)
• in the next two years there is nothing to set inlace counter-initiatives against it…do we want a society where laws can be changed at the whims of the public?
• *begins to polarize society: winning and losing

Question 21

What is an initiative constitutional amendment?

Answer 21

Petitions proposing initiative constitutional amendments must be signed by registered voters. The number of signatures must be equal to at least 8% of the total votes cast for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.

Question 22

What are the problems with ballot initiatives?

Answer 22

-Majority rule is often invoked to defend the use of referenda and justifying binding representatives to act as delegates of the dominant opinion within the community they represent.

Question 23

What do supporters of the trustee model argue bout the overuse of referenda/

Answer 23

• The overuse of the referenda and treating representatives as mere delegateswill not allow for the protection of minority interests.
• Nor will it ensure that representatives have the freedom to use their judgement to rise above local interests in favour of the national interest.

Question 24

Could there be ways to “soften” or mitigate the impact of initiatives or referendums and still keep them as a viable option within a democratic system?

Answer 24

• non-binding plebiscites (don’t have to change laws)?

- 55% not 51%?

Question 25

How does representation work in the parliamentary system?

Answer 25

We want to be somewhere in the middle

Question 26

What is the delegate model/what does it advocate for?

Answer 26

• responsiveness of interests of constancy
• trying to represent constitute directly
• direct tie between representatives and constituency.

Question 27

What are the strengths of the delegate model?

Answer 27

• efficacy (as a constituency you feel like you have an effect on political outcomes)
• accountability (if you don’t respect interests)
• Majoritarianism (way to implement –> good as long as you are in the majority)

Question 28

What are the weaknesses of the delegate model?

Answer 28

• fragmentation (too many different interests –> if your key role is to represent your constituency, when you come together you may all have different interests)
• diviciv environment (interest driven political system –> Canada: unique regional and economic interests)
• bandwagoning
• you need an informed public
• may lead to short term interests (consistency?)

Question 29

What is the basis for the trustee model?

Answer 29

Suggestion that good political representations are merely responsive. The trustee is the informed one –> issues, facts.

Question 30

What is the assumption of the trustee model?

Answer 30

that politics is a deliberative process

Question 31

Who do you want to be your representative in the trustee model?

Answer 31

you want someone who is accomplished, experienced.

Question 32

What are the strengths of the trustee model?

Answer 32

• may lead to more efficient lawmaking
• long term vs. short term (way to mitigate what a public may see as short-term interests)
• political culture more unitary than competitive

Question 33

What are the weaknesses of the trustee model?

Answer 33

• high expectations (less demanding of a certain character)
• doesn’t encourage efficacy (alienate your constituency, lack of responsiveness if you’re not mirroring what the constituency wants)
• less democratic system (not as much connection
• rule by a few

Question 34

What is the danger of the trustee model?

Answer 34

• trustee who goes on his own and ignores constituency (because we elevate representative, do we create and oligarchy? Remove ways to make them accountable?)
• lots of damage can be done in 4 years –> citizens have fewer ways to limit their power.