74 POLITICAL SCIENCE : KEY CONCEPTS AND THEORIES
CHAPTER 11
Modes of Representation
I N the contemporary political systems,
democracy is identified with
liberalism. This was not so in the
“until the nineteenth century liberal
theory, like the liberal state, was not at
all democratic, much of it was
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. specifically anti-democratic”. Today
The classical liberalism then was the term ‘democracy’ is widely
concerned with the principles of understood as the synonym of
capitalist market economy. It ‘representative democracy’. Under the
emphasised on individuals right to system of representative democracy
unlimited acquisition of property. In a people have a right to choose their
state, property qualification was representatives through periodic
considered as an essential condition to elections based on the principles of
participate in the process of political universal adult franchise. Under this
representation. Subsequently because system, discrimination based on caste,
of historical reasons classical liberalism, creed, religion, language and culture is
which was considered to be basically generally prohibited. The prescribed
antithetical to democratic norms and age for participating in the periodic
processes in the formative phase general elections varies from country to
became an essential partner of country. In India the prescribed age
democracy. Capitalism and market for participating in the general election
economy gave birth to large scale is eighteen whereas in Britain and some
industrialisation and urbanisation other countries it is twenty-one. In
process. The demand of the working some of the countries, the citizens were
class movement to participate in the compelled by law to participate in
decision-making process of the political voting during the general elections,
system gave a new momentum to the such as the Netherlands (1917) and
concept of democracy and widened its Belgium (1893).
horizon. The liberal state thus became There are two alternative systems of
a combination of free market economy representations: (a) territorial
and the principles of universal adult representation and (b) functional
franchise. C.B. McPherson observed, representation. The territorial
MODES OF REPRESENTATION 75
representation is also known as THEORIES OF REPRESENTATION
geographical representation. Under this
system, the whole country is divided into There have been different opinions
nearly equal population based regarding the role of the representatives
constituencies. The functional in the decision-making process. Some
representation highlights representation favour a limited role for the
of occupation or functions. People representatives whereas others
belonging to different occupations and advocate their control over the entire
functions are allowed to have their process of policy-making. Different
representatives on this basis. Although theories of representation try to analyse
this from different angles.
the territorial representation system
enables people to have a close
Authoritarian Theory of
relationship with their representatives,
Representation
sometimes, under this system,
local issues are given preference over The main advocates of this theory were
national issues. Thomas Hobbes and Alexander
When one representative represents Hamilton. The theory highlights the
a constituency, it is called a single- role of order and authority represented
member constituency. Constituencies by executive. The representatives of the
being represented by more than one people have a limited role to play. This
representative are called multi-member theory emphasises on the superior
constituencies. In India, before knowledge and wisdom of the
independence, we had separate politicians. There is no provision for
constituencies for minorities and special public control. Hobbes was
particularly in favour of the authority
interest groups.
of the monarch. In Hobbes’ theory of
According to Professor Shephard,
hypothetical social contract, the
there are three theories of representation.
individuals in the state of nature
These are primitive tribal theory, the
contract with each other that each one
feudal theory and ethical theory. The of them agree to give all his powers of
political practice followed during the governance to the particular person or
Greek city-state days is known as tribal group of persons (that is the monarch/
theory of representation. Under this parliament) so that by assuming the
system, the right to vote was considered combined power of all it would protect
as the necessary condition for the the life and property of all its members.
membership of the state. The feudal Thus, the monarch/parliament is
theory highlights the property condition created by a democratic method; the
of voting rights in a state. The ethical basis is the consent of each individual
theory considers voting rights as a who have formed the state; but after
natural and inherent right of every assuming power the monarch/
citizen. parliament becomes all-powerful.
76 POLITICAL SCIENCE : KEY CONCEPTS AND THEORIES
Radical Theory of Representation electorate but as agents of change what
they think would be best for the society.
The main supporters of this theory are
It is alleged that the theory is
Rousseau and the proponents of the
undemocratic in the sense that it
New Left. This theory does not believe
believes on the wisdom of an elitist
in the system of representative
group of politicians. It considers this
government. It strongly believes in the
group as the custodian of public
direct participation of people in the
interest. The conservative theory of
process of governance. Direct
representation does not encourage
participation in the law-making process
popular participation in the process of
is known as direct democracy. In other
governance. But in society in which
words, in a direct democracy citizens
there is illiteracy and poverty and where
themselves participate in decision-
people are not in a position to understand
making, and not through their chosen
complicated issues, the representative
representatives. But such direct
should be able to rise above narrow
representation is possible only in small
sectarian interest and take a view of the
units. In ancient times it was possible
nation as a whole. This view is
in the City-State of Athens. Today, in
particularly significant in a country like
Switzerland there is provision for
ours, which is divided in terms of
Plebiscite and Recall. These are factors
language, religion, caste and class.
relating to Direct Democracy.
However, the representative should
Mirror Theory of Representation not become a prisoner of vested or
sectarian interest, it is necessary that
Chief advocates of this theory were John the representation should be able to rise
Locke and Thomas Jefferson. It above various particularisms and take
highlights the idea that legislatures a holistic view of things in the context
must be the mirror image of the society. of the nation as a whole. The
The representatives are considered as contemporary decision-making process
agents of people and are to translate and pattern of governance is so
demands of their constituents into complicated that it may not be possible
policy framework. The theory has a to involve people in general to follow the
strong faith in the wisdom and form of Direct Democracy. Today a
capability of the masses. It was based representative has an extremely
on the principle of equality. complicated task. On the one hand he
must voice the wishes of the people he
Elitist Theory of Representation
represents and on the other he has the
It believes that once elected, the special responsibility to shape these
representative has a special wishes in conformity with the overall
responsibility to provide leadership to interest of the society.
the masses. They are not mere Proper representation is the central
recipients of the input provided by the point for the successful working of a
MODES OF REPRESENTATION 77
democratic system. According to the proper and national representation of
classical definition of democracy, it is a the people, which in turn involves an
Government of the people, for the people, enlightened public opinion and
and by the people. If that is so, we the educated citizens. It is therefore said that
people have to be extra vigilant for its Democracy is not only a type of
successful working. This demands government it is also a way of life.
EXERCISES
1. What are the various theories of representations?
2. Mention two alternative systems of representation.
3. Describe the importance of representation in a democratic system.
4. Write short notes on:
(i) Functional Representation;
(ii) Direct Democracy;
(iii) Elitist theory of Representation.