Does Representative Democracy Facilitate the Participation of the People - Term Paper Example

Representative Democracy For any nation, its leaders are the prime role models and flag bearers who try to keep the country moving. As nations, cities or countries comprises of people, the natural resources and the physical boundary on which people are earning their livelihoods; it is very essential keep harmony amongst them. For this purpose, a proper mechanism and/or structure to keep the circle moving are necessary. This structure prevailing in most of the countries is normally called governments. Sole purpose of governments is to manage the overall country’s profile, keep it stable, and maintain the healthy networking with the neighboring countries. However, various countries have various forms of governments. Many have democratic systems, while others are having kingships. Democracy allows the people of the nation to choose their representative, which they think can fully put forward their views and concern at a first place. A proper election system is established in those countries and people are allowed to cast their vote against shortlisted candidates. The candidates achieving majority of the vote declares victory and has then the authority to have the command over the country ship from then on (Shughart, pp.157-159. 2003). The elected one is assumed the spokesperson and the way-looker for the nation and has to fulfill certain responsibilities. Having a person or a representative group of people working for some larger number of people is required because it helps to maintain the status quo at a first place which otherwise would result in a chaos, and on the other hand it is needed to unite the scattered and diverse group of people under one roof. Moreover, various institutions, apart from residents, also work under the core circle of a nation set of hierarchy. These institutions may include Hospitals, Security Departments, commercial houses, and educational institutions, which also have their demands and requisitions over the governing bodies. Smooth operations within institutions need a structural framework that is followed by both, people working in the organization as well as the people getting advantage from them (for example, clients or customers). Such operations are always headed by a single governing body, which is formed by professionals from integrated departments and working under mutual consent to carry forward all the needed tasks. Similar is the case with a whole country. Taking country as a bigger institution, aimed at giving its people a contributive environment for living also needs a representative body. However, it is essential that the chosen party should fulfill all the responsibilities, which their common people want them to do (Hindess, pp. 163-165, 1990). Yet another dimension, apart from having a representative democratic form of government because of a need of time and representing a major sector of human beings, is that to allocate power in the right direction (Shughart, pp. 157-159. 2003). Power, in general is very dangerous in terms of its use. When somebody has power over others, he is authorized or has power over the other in every respect of his or her life. Hence, giving legitimize power to anybody to rule the country without any consent with the people whom he is going to rule, would be a threat to the people wellbeing. That is why; giving people right to choose their own representative, through participation in elections is a better way to minimize that threat. For example, in a classroom, when teacher ask the class to choose a classroom monitor or Prefect, he/she means to have a person whom he/she can rely on. Whenever it is required to communicate to the class or pass on the message to the entire class, a teacher can only contact the representative. On the other hand, if children have certain suggestions to make and want teacher style to be modified in a certain way, that monitor can also act a mediator between the higher authorities and the class itself. In this way, individuals in the class who were not able to put their point forward would be heard. In addition to that, this does not mean that individuals cannot act themselves. No doubt, the power lies in the hands of those who have chosen that representative, they also bear the power to re-elect someone else if he is not doing his work properly. What does it mean, then, is to have a structured system of casting their opinions to the concerned authorities. Moreover, it also means that the representative is not hearing an individual’s query and concentrating on his demands only, but he liaisons with others in a team and suggest a way forward, which is equally suitable to others as well. In other words, having a uniform consent from all the people, and here the focus is on the large number of people, is very difficult. Therefore, representation is necessary because it opens the doors for negotiations and reaching to a mutual conclusion (ISMC. p.1. 2007). Representative democracy also opens room for the minorities to have their right on the legislation. In most of the countries women, slaves, younger sector of the society were deprived of their rights as the equal contributing factor in the society. Hence, in these types of places, representative democracy will act as a tool to give minority concerns some public’s attention and awareness (IPU, p. 1, 2009). On one hand where representative democracy give opportunity for the minority to have their opinion heard, on the other hand, minority may also find it feasible to realize their inner potentials through some representative party or person, which otherwise they wont be able to (Manin, pp. 10-14. 1997). Globalization is a threat to today’s democratic view of government. In this world, were everything seems interrelated and coexistent, it has become next to impossible for people and the chosen bodies to make appropriate decisions or as liked by most of the people (IPU, p. 1, 2009). Decisions have not remained merely ‘national’ or ‘ours’, but has become ‘international’ or ‘surviving’. Influence on people mindsets and their habits have homogenized at an increasing rate. This, also, should not mean failure of the notion of representative democracy, but processes should be strengthened as the time passes. More techno-centered means of evaluation, decision-making, and elections should be inculcated in the system. Governments should be more vigilant in terms of their decisions influencing international community. Making representative democracy more effective may also means to work on the level of shared understanding of the people, improving the standards and taking care of the context (Leyenaar, p.1. 2008). Though, situation today give a contrasting view of the democratic government systems, like, after achieving the power, mostly chosen bodies fails to holistically represent and fulfill the promises made, governing bodies seldom make mutual decisions, rather they isolate their working from that of the public in general (Leyenaar, p.1. 2008). Moreover, privatization leads to power scattered amongst non-governmental giants, and hence civil society gets into action and act as lifesaving boats for the people. In the end, what happens that, either people boycott the existing government in someway or the other or remain the victim of the situation. However, civil society and media partners keep their voices aloud and act as public representatives to raise their concerns in front of the authorities. Therefore, in one way or the other, representations harvest their fruits and give immediate benefits to the people (Held, pp. 210-215, 2006). Enhancing the mode of election and incorporating other sectors of the people, other than using the criteria of male voters, can be useful in making the right choice. More educated, skilled, learned and informed citizens should come forward to cast their votes, and younger generation should be encouraged to choose amongst the candidates, who will provide them secure, and booming future career and living opportunities (Leyenaar, p.1. 2008). Our nations constitutes diverse array of people. From a new born baby, to elderly people in hospitals; from a child in kindergarten, to a person living is nursing home; from a young teenager, exploring the world around him, to an addict in rehabilitation center; from a young couple, starting their married life, to a single parent, facing difficulty in raising her child; from a poor lad, working on daily wages to a business tycoon; from salaried person, to entrepreneurs, and yet including scientists, artists, media personnel, actors, singers, etc. In the ideal situation, like-minded people should be grouped together and their leader chosen would be a true representative of the group. However, in the real world scenario, it seems impossible for these all sectors of society to nominate their individual party personnel and make them rule. Therefore, democracy through participation of all sectors of the society choose a representative that when get hold on the power should keep in mind all the demands and requirements of them. From all these arguments, it can be assumed that democratic structure of government is actually needed in the society to maintain peace and tranquility amongst its diverse stakeholders. When comparing two notions that states that representation comprehends not acting for themselves and that one is becoming passive while choosing someone else in his place, is incorrect, because after observing and stating above examples, one can clearly say that by choosing a representative, a person is doing himself a favor. He has actually done a self-evaluation after which he had concluded that due to any reason, if I am not able to complete a particular task, the work at hand should not suffer. So, by putting the greater value on others’ stake, he has decided to trust another capable being, otherwise he himself would be chosen by others as their representative. Overall, in the God’s nature, all human beings are His representatives in this world, taking care of His creations and utilizing the resources for growth and survival. If God is not physically present in this world and we humans are His representatives, this does not, God forbid, lessens his Grace. However, for a period he has put humans in charge of their own lives. Similarly, by having someone else representing oneself does not diminish ones own credibility and raise doubts over his capabilities. Nobody can be at two places at one time. If one needs to attend two urgent meetings at the same time, he excuses from the one completely or he can send the reliable and trusted coworker, in his place to a meeting and attend the other. Other people around him will understand the fact and depending on his previous records and experiences will give him the advantage. Unfortunately, with the course of time it has been observed that Democracies have failed to gain the public trusts as after elections, the representative bodies forget their concerns and weigh their personal gains more closely. However, representative democracy fosters people to participate in the decision making process and after weighing all the pros and cons of the candidates background, education, trustworthiness, credibility, health and intellectual capacity decide upon to whom they think the power would be allocated to. More people will participate according to their own instinct and will; the more sound and strengthened results would be achieved (Warburton, pp.77-80, 1999). As the bicycle needs both of its wheel intact to move smoothly, similarly for nations to remain in harmony needs governments and people to work in mutual coordination. On one hand when we say that elected representatives should be fulfilling their duties correctly, on the other hand they should be trusted and authorized by the people who have chosen them. Moreover, representatives should never forget that the power they are enjoying now is given by the people, so people’s opinions and their concerns should never be forgotten. Their consent should be taken in critical decision and transparency in work and running everyday matters of the country should be definite. Thus, the notion of representative democracy, through history, has been the major effort to involve public interest in the critical matters of government. This, by every mean, was and has been in practice through history, but what has originated doubts over its efficacy, is current trend of corrupted politicians and aftermaths of globalization. Once people will realize that the problem is not with what form of government is applicable, but with the minds of people putting that into practice. References Held, David. (2006). Models of democracy. Stanford University Press. Hindess, Barry. (1990). Reactions to the right. Routledge. IPU, Inter-Parliamentary Union. (2009). Ten things you should know about democracy. Retrieved on January 3, 2010; http://www.ipu.org/dem-e/idd/ten.htm ISMC-AKU. (2007). John Keane - The strange origins of representative democracy. Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations. Retrieved on January 3, 2010: http://www.aku.edu/ISMC/ismc-jkeanetalk.shtml Leyenaar, Monique. (2008). e-Democracy: blessing or curse? or How can e-Democracy Contribute towards Inclusive Politics? Radboud University Nijmegen. Retrieved on January 3, 2010: http://www.coe.int/t/dgap/democracy/Activities/DemocracyForum/2008/Speeches/Leyenaar_Blessing_or_curse_Word.asp Manin, Bernard. (1997). the principles of representative government. Cambridge University Press. Shughart, William F., Razzolini, Laura. (2003). The Elgar companion to public choice. Edward Elgar Publishing. Warburton, Nigel. (1999). Philosophy: the basics. Routledge. Read More