14. Discuss the various theories on how members of Congress should represent their constituents (trustee, delegate, etc.). Include some opinions on the value of diversity among members of Congress.
Congress is made up of 535 people who make it their jobs to represent the 300 million people in the United States. Members of the legislative branch have such a crucial role in Americans' lives that political analysts and theorists have many theories of how America's congressmen and senators can best represent their constituents.
The following are three of the most popular representative theories held by political analysts: 1. trustee - a representative who listens to the opinions and concerns of his constituents and then uses his discretion when voting and making final decisions
2. delegate - a representative who votes the way his constituents would want him to, whether he agrees with these viewpoints or not
3. politico - wavers between a trustee and delegate depending on the issue at hand; on important issues that are being scrutinized by the public, a politico will serve as a delegate, whereas he may become a trustee on lesser known issues
However, the manner in which congressmen and senators represent their constituents is not nearly as important as diversity amongst our members of Congress.
The majority of the people in our legislative branch are well-educated white men who come from upper-income backgrounds. The majority of United States citizens do not fit this background. This brings up the question of whether or not a group made up largely of white men can represent racial minorities, women, and those living below the poverty line. Many political commentators believe that Congress currently represents the wants and needs of privileged Americans. These people also believe that certain types of people can best represent those who are like them - for instance, a female senator could represent women better than a male senator; a veteran congressman would best serve the needs of his fellow veterans, etc. Diversity in Congress is good - and it should be noted that our legislators are becoming more and more diverse as a whole: In 2005, there were 14 female senators and 40 blacks were elected to serve in the 109th Congress. The 110th Congress ushered the arrival of of a Muslim and two Buddhists. Of course, while diversity within Congress is good, it is important to remember that even an upper-middle class white man will serve his constituents to the best of his abilities. The fact that a representative is not like his constituents does not necessarily mean that he will fail his duties.
Representation in congress is based on how we as the representative's constituents view the function of legislatures. There are 3 main viewpoints on representation in congress : Trustee Delegate Politico
1. A representative should be a trustee who listens to the opinions of the constituents and then can be trusted to use their own best judgment to make final decisions.
2. A delegate representative votes the way the constituents wants them to disregarding their own opinions.
3. A politico acts as a trustee or delegate depending on the issue at hand.
An issue of whether or not a representative of congress should be of Latino, African, Caucasian, or female dissent is one that has lead to the viewpoint reported by NBC/Wall Street Journal that it would be "better for society" if representatives of congress were female. It has been observed that women are better suited to dealing with a wide range of domestic issues and are more interested in them. Most representatives in congress will make decisions based on the wants of the constituents if they hope to be reelected to office.
All information was taken from American Government: Roots and Reform.
Congress is made up of 535 people who make it their jobs to represent the 300 million people in the United States. Members of the legislative branch have such a crucial role in Americans' lives that political analysts and theorists have many theories of how America's congressmen and senators can best represent their constituents.
ReplyDeleteThe following are three of the most popular representative theories held by political analysts:
1. trustee - a representative who listens to the opinions and concerns of his constituents and then uses his discretion when voting and making final decisions
2. delegate - a representative who votes the way his constituents would want him to, whether he agrees with these viewpoints or not
3. politico - wavers between a trustee and delegate depending on the issue at hand; on important issues that are being scrutinized by the public, a politico will serve as a delegate, whereas he may become a trustee on lesser known issues
However, the manner in which congressmen and senators represent their constituents is not nearly as important as diversity amongst our members of Congress.
The majority of the people in our legislative branch are well-educated white men who come from upper-income backgrounds. The majority of United States citizens do not fit this background. This brings up the question of whether or not a group made up largely of white men can represent racial minorities, women, and those living below the poverty line. Many political commentators believe that Congress currently represents the wants and needs of privileged Americans. These people also believe that certain types of people can best represent those who are like them - for instance, a female senator could represent women better than a male senator; a veteran congressman would best serve the needs of his fellow veterans, etc. Diversity in Congress is good - and it should be noted that our legislators are becoming more and more diverse as a whole: In 2005, there were 14 female senators and 40 blacks were elected to serve in the 109th Congress. The 110th Congress ushered the arrival of of a Muslim and two Buddhists. Of course, while diversity within Congress is good, it is important to remember that even an upper-middle class white man will serve his constituents to the best of his abilities. The fact that a representative is not like his constituents does not necessarily mean that he will fail his duties.
Representation in congress is based on how we as the representative's constituents view the function of legislatures. There are 3 main viewpoints on representation in congress :
ReplyDeleteTrustee
Delegate
Politico
1. A representative should be a trustee who listens to the opinions of the constituents and then can be trusted to use their own best judgment to make final decisions.
2. A delegate representative votes the way the constituents wants them to disregarding their own opinions.
3. A politico acts as a trustee or delegate depending on the issue at hand.
An issue of whether or not a representative of congress should be of Latino, African, Caucasian, or female dissent is one that has lead to the viewpoint reported by NBC/Wall Street Journal that it would be "better for society" if representatives of congress were female. It has been observed that women are better suited to dealing with a wide range of domestic issues and are more interested in them. Most representatives in congress will make decisions based on the wants of the constituents if they hope to be reelected to office.
All information was taken from American Government: Roots and Reform.