Representative Government

The Meaning of Representative Government

A representative system of government is that type of government that gives everybody in the country the chance to express their opinion by voting for those who will take charge of the affairs of the state. In other words, it allows everyone in the system to express their opinion through an electoral process that allows them to vote for those who will represent them. Thus, it is a system of government of representatives of the people. This system of government is also known as indirect democracy. It is based on the premise of accountability and responsibility of the leadership.

The complexities of modern society especially in terms of population has strained the practice of direct democracy, as operated in ancient Greek states (such as Athens), which entails the gathering of everybody in a public square in order to deliberate on the affairs of the state.

The Means of Establishing Representative Government

The following conditions are essential for the existence of a representative government:

1. All sections of the community must be truly represented: It is essential that all the constituencies have approximate equal population. This ensures true representation of the population. This ensures true representation of the population. For this this to be meaningful, elections must be free and fair. There must be equal opportunities to vote and to be voted for. There must be no compulsions. Bribery and corruption must be eliminated from the electioneering process. This ensures that whomever is elected is a true representative of his community. Since the government is representative, it must also be periodic so that incompetent repr3senttives can be changed or replaced.
2. Parliamentarians must be free and frank in decision/discussions: For decision in parliament to be meaningful, the parliamentarians must be free to criticize the government. In other words, there must be freedom within the parliament, which means that the so called parliamentary privileges must be respected. Unless the elected representatives are able to function in this manner, it will mean that the government is rigid. This will negate the wishes of elected representatives. There should equally be no interference from government on parliamentary processes.
3. Parliament’s decision must be binding on government: If parliamentary decisions are to be binding, the parliament should control governmental finance. This is the case in a representative government and elected members should be able to go back to their constituencies to report what role they play in controlling government finance and expenditures.

In summary, representative government is good only if the elected representatives are good.

The Merits of Representative Government

The merits of representative government include the following:

1. It safeguards the interests of the people: Real power lies in the hands of the people who exercise it by the representatives elected by them, who are responsible to them. It is said that social, economic and political interests of the individuals are served better under this system.
2. Stability and responsibility in administration: It is known for its stability, firmness and efficiency. These days, the tenure of the elected representatives is fixed. They form a stable government because it is based on public support. The administration is conducted with a sense of responsibility. In representative government, people’s representatives discuss matters more thoroughly and take reasonable decision.
3. Political education of the people: It serves as a training ground for citizens. People are encouraged to take part in the affairs of the state. At the time of elections political parties propose their policies and programmes in support of their candidates. All means of propaganda – public meetings, posters, radio, television and speeches by important leaders of the parties, are used to win public favour. It creates political consciousness among the people.
4. Little chance of revolution: Since representative government is based on public will, the chances of public revolt are highly minimal. Representatives elected by the people conduct the affairs of the state with public support. If they don’t work efficiently or don’t come up to the expectations of their masters i.e., the public, they are thrown in the dustbin of history when elections are held again.
5. Stable government: Since it is based on public will, it conducts state business with public support. It is, therefore, more stable than other forms of government.
6. Helps in making people good citizens: The success of representative government lies on its good citizens. Representative government creates proper environment for the development of personality and cultivating good habits.

The Demerits of Representative Government

The demerits of representative government include the following:

1. More emphasis on quantity than on quality: It is not based upon the quality but on quantity. Majority party wields the authority of government. Inefficient and corrupt persons may get themselves elected. They have neither the intelligence, vision, nor strength of character to steer the ship of state to its destination.
2. Rule of the incompetent: It is run by incompetent persons. It is government by amateurs. In representative government, every citizen is allowed to take part, whereas not everybody is fit for it. Locke calls it the act of running administration by the ignorant. He says that history records the fact that a few are intelligent. Universal adult franchise grants right to vote to everybody. Thus, “a few manipulators who can collect votes with the greatest success get democratic power.” The result is that democracy run by the ignorant and incompetent becomes totally unfit for intellectual progress and search for empirical truths.
3. Based on unnatural equality: The concept of equality is enshrined in the system. It is against the law of nature. Nature has not endowed every individual with intelligence and wisdom. Men’s talents differ. Some are courageous, other are cowards. Some healthy, others, not so healthy. Some are intelligent, others are not. Critics are of the opinion that “it is against the law of nature to grant equal status to everybody.”
4. Voters do not take interest in election: Voters do not cast their vote in a spirit of duty as democracy requires them to do. Contestants of election persuade them. Even then, it is generally found that turn out comes to 50 to 60 percent only. This forfeits the very tall claim of holding elections.
5. Lowers the moral standard: Under representative government, the only aim of the candidates is to win election. They often employ under-hand practices and foul means to get elected. Character assassination is openly practised and unethical ways are generally adopted. Muscle power and money power work hand-in-hand to ensure success. Thus, morality is the first casualty during elections. It is a big loss for ‘when character is lost, everything is lost’.
6. No stable government: When no party gets absolute majority, coalition governments are formed. The coalition of political parties with a view of sharing power is only a marriage of convenience. Whenever there occurs a clash of interests, the coalition is lost and governments crumble. Thus, stable governments under representative government are at best an illusion.
7. Bad influence of political parties: Political parties are the basis of representative government. A political party aims at capturing power. Its members are to safeguard the interests of the party. Sometimes, they overlook the overall interest of the state for the sake of their party. They try to win election by hook or by crook. Practicing the immoral methods, empty ideals, inciting hatred, spreading caste feelings, communalism has become a common practice. It lowers the national character.

EVALUATION

1. Explain the term representative government.
2. What condition is essential for the existence of a representative government?
3. Highlight the merits and demerits of a representative government.