Task 5 - REPRESENTATION AND ELECTIONS

Question 1

1. Theories of Representation. Name the 4

Answer 1

1. Trusteeship
2. Delegation
3. The Mandate
4. Resemblance

Question 2

1.1 Trusteeship model. Who + Core theme

Answer 2

–> Trustee: Person who acts on behalf of other using superior knowledge and greater experience

Core theme: Serve constituents through mature judgement + enlightened conscience

Question 3

1.1 Trusteeship model. Characterstics (4)

Answer 3

1.Representation as moral duty (actions in the interest of the less fortunate)
2. Elitist implications
3. ‘Mass does not know their best interest’
4. Anti-democratic implications

Question 4

1.1 Trusteeship Model. Drawbacks

Answer 4

• Knowledge is unequally distributed
• No evidence that education = altruism
• Elitist
• Anti-democratic

Question 5

1.2 Delegate Model. who?

Answer 5

–> Delegate: Acts as a conduit conveying views of others (no own judgement)

Question 6

1.2 Delegate Model. Characteristics

Answer 6

• Politicians bound to views of represented
• Elections
• Short terms
• Use of referendum
• Broader opportunities for pop participation
• Checks self-serving inclinations

Question 7

1.2 Delegate Model. Drawbacks

Answer 7

• Breeds narrowness
• Fosters conflicts
• Limits scope of leadership and statemanship

Question 8

1.3 Mandate Model. Who?

Answer 8

–> In winning election, a party gains popular mandate that authorizes it to carry out policies and programmes outlined during campaign

Question 9

1.3 Mandate Model. Characteristics

Answer 9

• Politicians serve by remaining loyal to their party and policies
• Provides a meaning on election results
• Keeps politicians to their word

Question 10

1.3 Mandate Model. Drawbacks

Answer 10

• based on questionable model of voting behavior (voters not always rational)
• manifesto commitments
• imposes straitjacket (limits gov to policies taken during election)
• applied in case of majoritarian systems

Question 11

1.4 Resemblance Model. Who?

Answer 11

–> embodied in idea of a ‘representative cross-section’, who constitute a micocosm of the larger society

Question 12

1.4 Resemblance Model. Characteristics

Answer 12

• representation of all society groups
• descriptive
• only a member of minority group can represent the interests of the group
• better decisions for common good
• e.g cantones

Question 13

2. ELECTIONS. Functions of elections. Name 3 views

Answer 13

1. Conventional
2. Radical
3. Reality

Question 14

2.1 Functions of elections. Conventional view

Answer 14

–> Mechanism for pol to be called to account and forced to introduce policies reflecting public opinion
- Pol recruitments
- Making gov
- Influencing policy

Question 15

2.1 FoE. Radical view

Answer 15

–> Means through which govs and pol elites can exercise control over their populations
- Building legitimacy
- shaping pulic opinion
- strengthening elites

Question 16

2.1 FoE. Reality

Answer 16

–> Two-way street
- Gov and people, elites and the masses haev an opportunity to influence each other

Question 17

2.2 Electoral systems. What?

Answer 17

Set of rules that governs the conduct of elections. They vary accross the world

Question 18

2.2 Majoritarian vs Proportional systems. Based on how they convert votes into seats

Answer 18

1. Majoritarian: larger parties win a higher proportion of seats than the proportion of votes they gain in election (more chances for small parties)
2. Proportional: Guarantee an equal relationship btw the seats won by a party and the votes gained in the election
   - Multiparty systems and coalition

Question 19

2.2 The Debate: Majoritarian advantages

Answer 19

• Evaluated in terms of gov functions (stable rule):
• proper and clear translation of manifesto into programme
• effective rule

Question 20

2.2. Debate: Majoritarian disadvantages

Answer 20

• Evaluated in terms of representation:

Distorts pop preferences
Unfairness to large parties
Overfairness to large parties and geographically concentrated support
Two-party systems manufactured (Do not reflect the distribution of pop preferences)

Question 21

2.2 Debate: Proportional systems. Advantages

Answer 21

Evaluated in terms of rep functions:

• Coalition govs are usually unstable
• Endless process of reconciling opposing views
• Internal splits and divisions

Question 22

2.2 Debate: Proportional systems. Disadvantages

Answer 22

Evaluated in terms of gov functions:

• Coalition govs are usually unstable
• Endless process of reconciling opposing views
• Internal splits and divisions