Representative Democracy

Question 1

What is representative democracy?

Answer 1

The idea that decisions should be made by representatives of the people. The people rule via representatives, or the people rule as representatives (depending on whether we see the representatives as part of the people or not).

Question 2

How can representative democracy get close to the ideal of direct democracy?

Answer 2

We want the representatives to be vessels for the people, limit the autonomy of the representatives, we want them to be tied as closely as possible to the citizenry.

Question 3

Why might representative democracy be the best option for mass democracies?

Answer 3

We can delegate power to representatives whilst still participating as citizens, in our busy lives that don’t always have time for direct participation in political issues.

Question 4

Who represents?

Answer 4

If you think representative democracy doesn’t dilute democracy: then anybody can be a representative (most democratic version). In reality, there are many barriers against individuals becoming representatives, and only those with education can become one.

Question 5

How do they become representatives?

Answer 5

They stand for office, and citizens have the opportunity to vote for them. Alternatively, it could be a lottery.

Question 6

For how long does a representative stand?

Answer 6

It needs to be long enough to provide some stability, so that the leader can follow through with their policies. Time allows people to want to see them through in the long term. When we vote, we want to see the policies come to fruition. If the representatives aren’t anticipating being there in the long run, then representatives will make all sorts of promises that they know will never be fulfilled.
It needs to be short enough for people to retain some authority, though. We must be able to hold our politicians responsible and recall them if they fail.

Question 7

Who represents whom?

Answer 7

Sometimes, we choose representatives who then choose their own representatives - e.g. we choose MPs and they choose people to represent their parties.

Question 8

What do they represent?

Answer 8

Part of the benefits of representative democracy is that we could get good things that aren’t specifically democratic. We could filter out some of the less desirable outcomes of democracy by having representatives.

Question 9

What is the power of the unelected?

Answer 9

Civil servants, special advisers, office, political appointees and party officials are not elected by voters. They are officials who actually do the job of executing the rules and fulfilling policy. These civil servants stay in place regardless as to whether the government is Labour, Conservative etc. Special advisers are brought in and hired directly by political representatives. But civil servants stay there, as figures of stability.

Question 10

What are the benefits of political parties?

Answer 10

We know what each party stands for - it gathers people along ideological lines. And they’re different enough that the parties can hold each other accountable. Moreover, parties exist over time (compared to MPs), so they can teach people what it is to be an MP and can provide some ideological stability.

Question 11

Why might parties be anti-democratic?

Answer 11

They can be funded and/or sponsored.

Question 12

What is a problem with who gets to become representatives?

Answer 12

Representatives often have similar careers before going into politics, are very well-educated and may come from financially advantageous backgrounds.

Question 13

Should we be represented by someone like us?

Answer 13

This is to ask whether the government should be more like a microcosm of society, with representatives reflecting women, ethnically diverse groups, LGBT groups etc. Some argue that we need quotas to ensure that such groups aren’t stopped from reaching positions of power.

Question 14

Why might we not need to be represented by someone like us?

Answer 14

Because it implies that one can only be represented by those who are sufficiently like oneself. But we aren’t only individuals - we are in a society. Furthermore, just because somebody has the same background as you, it doesn’t mean they will accurately represent what you believe.

Question 15

What are the benefits of having representatives who are similar to you?

Answer 15

Seeing someone similar to you could inspire more active participation in political issues.

Question 16

What is a delegate model of representative democracy?

Answer 16

We think of the representatives as being elected to be a vessel for the preferences of the people who’ve elected them; they just need to act, do exactly as the people tell them to do. They know what the constituents want via their express preferences, e.g. they voted for this.

Question 16

What is a delegate model of representative democracy?

Answer 16

We think of the representatives as being elected to be a vessel for the preferences of the people who’ve elected them; they just need to act, do exactly as the people tell them to do. They know what the constituents want via their express preferences, e.g. they voted for this.

Question 17

What is a trustee model of representative democracy?

Answer 17

Representatives act on our behalf but they exercise their judgement - they think about what might be in your interests. What might be in your interests might be different from what you express as your preference. The representative is still connected to the electorate - they’re still acting on their behalf - but they’re not just following what the constituents say they want.

Question 18

What did Edmund Burke suggest?

Answer 18

That representatives might know better about what their constituents’ best interests are.

Question 19

What is a problem with MPs and their parties?

Answer 19

Representatives are asked to tow the party line, but they may say that they don’t agree with the party line. If you vote for that party, you don’t normally want the representative to say they don’t agree.

Question 20

What would be the ideal representative?

Answer 20

A representative who takes on board what their constituents want, and try to identify their interests, but ultimately act in line with the common good, believing it to be the best thing for all the constituents.