What is representative democracy? Is its aim to restrict or promote popular rule?.
In this essay there are two main things that I need to address. Firstly what representative democracy means and the different forms of it. Secondly to discuss the next part of the question. Does it promote popular rule? To do this I will look at the Models of representative democracy and also situations which arise throughout society, to answer the question.
Representative democracy is by definition "a democracy in which government is effected by elected representatives of the people. A representative democracy is one which "Exercises (power) through deputies periodically elected by themselves, the ultimate controlling power. In fact there are different models of representation. This means that there is no particular outright model which takes precedence, just competing ones. For example, in Burke's view the Trustee Model of representation states that those with education & understanding, and those in the position to represent the many should do so in the best interests of the public. Basically that the more fortunate should look out for the interests of the less fortunate through themselves and their party. .
Mill would argue that there is "no desirable alternative to representative democracy". It is clear that he meant that without representatives the political system would be in chaos or close to it. What we find though when looking at the differing models of representation is that some allow the representative to make his/her own judgements on the publics best interests more than others. For example the Delegate Model consists of the representative acting almost purely on instruction from the public themselves. This allows for far more public participation. Popular rule is therefore promoted as the people have the opportunity to have exactly what they want done.
The Resemblance Model is an interesting one to look at and would almost certainly promote popular rule just because it gives a clearer and fair representation of the society it represents.
