Week 9: Representation, Elections and

Voting
1. Politics, society and identity:
1.1 Industrialism to post-industrialism.
1.2 Rise of identity politics.
1.3 Cultural diversity.

2. Representation, Elections And Voting

2.1 Theories of representation
2.2 Functions of elections
2.3 Types of electoral systems
2.4 What do elections mean?
2.5 Theories of voting
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: Brief discussion

1. What are the functions of elections ?

2. What is your view on the rise of individualism?
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 1. Politics, society and identity:
1.1 Industrialism to post-industrialism.
 The social connectedness of close bonds and fixed allegiances is giving way to
more fluid, individualized arrangements.
 This reflects:
i. The transition from an industrial to a post-industrial society
ii. The declining importance of class
iii. New technology and the ‘information society’
iv. The rise of individualism
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 1. Politics, society and identity:
1.2 Rise of identity politics.
 Identity politics is a style of politics that seeks to counter group marginalization by
embracing a positive and assertive sense of collective identity
 Identity can be shaped around many principles – ethnicity, gender, religion, culture…
 Attempts to regenerate personal and social identity have given rise to new, and sometimes
more radical, forms of politics
 Network relationships have encouraged the ‘thinning’ of social connectedness.
 Economic individualism fostered by the rise of industrial capitalism. Consumerism
encourages people to define themselves by what they earn and what they own.
 Some argue individualism has weakened our sense of social belonging.
 Liberal theorists see individualism as a sign of progress – associated with the spread of
‘enlightened’ social values such as toleration and equality of opportunity.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 1. Politics, society and identity:
1.3 Cultural diversity.
 The growth of international migration has given an increasing number of societies a
multicultural character.
 Multiculturalism recognises the fact of cultural diversity, and holds that such
differences should be respected and affirmed.
 There are three main models of multiculturalism:
i. Liberal: freedom and tolerance.
ii. Pluralist: unequal power relations.
iii. Cosmopolitan: cultural diversity.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: Brief discussion
1. What is the relationship between elections and legitimacy?
2. What are some of your views with voting ? Why do you find it necessary or
unnecessary?
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 2. Representation
2.1The main key points about representation:
 It is closely linked with voting.
 Through representation politicians are the slaves of the people.
 Politicians have the duty to act on behalf of the people who voted for them.
 Representation is the only way to achieve government by the people.
 Elections play an important role in representative democracy.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 3. Theories of representation
3.1 Trustee model
3.2 Delegate model
3.3 Mandate model
3.4 Resemblance model
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 3. Theories of representation
3.1 Trustee model
 One acts on behalf of others based on his or her superior knowledge e.g better
education, or greater experience.
 Places moral duty on the representatives (i.e. representatives must always act for the
best interest of the voters).
 Politicians are portrayed as professionals (i.e politicians are elites).
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 3. Theories of representation
3.2 Delegate model
 Delegate (representative) conveys views of others.
 Delegate may not act based on his or her judgment.
 Regular elections are for interactions between voters and representatives.
 Recalls give control over politicians.
 Referendums may also be used to supplement this form of representation.
 Encourages popular participation and eliminates professional politicians.
 More closer to representative government
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 3. Theories of representation
3.3 Mandate model
 Is based on the doctrine of the mandate.
 A party that wins the elections should execute the policies or programmes it
outlined during election campaign.
 Ensures that politicians keep their promises.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 3. Theories of representation
3.4 Resemblance model
 Is based on how representatives resemble the group that elected them, than how
they were selected.
 It ensures that government reflects all the sections of the society.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 4. Elections
4.1 The main key points about representation:
 Ensures that certain public offices are filled.
 There is restriction in terms of who is entitled to vote.
 Elections are through secret ballot.
 Elections are competitive.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 4. Elections
4.2 Functions of elections:
 Recruiting politicians: Used to fill posts that require certain special talent or
knowledge.
 Making governments: Influences formation of government.
 Providing representation: This is achieved when elections are free and fair.
 Influencing policy: Prevents government from formulating unpopular policies.
 Educating voters: Through campaigns, voters are well informed about candidates
and political parties.
 Building legitimacy: The voting or participation which serves as consent.
 Strengthening elites: Elites may use the elections to manipulate the masses.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.1 Key points about electoral systems:
 There are rules which regulate how elections should be conducted.
 These rules are different in all countries.
 Electoral systems also outline if voters should choose between candidates, or
between political parties.
 They also outline if voters should vote for a single candidate or rank the candidates
according to preference.
 Electorate may or may not be grouped into electoral units of constituencies.
 Required level of support differs, depending on electoral system.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.2 Electoral systems
Single member plurality system (Majoritarian):
 A country is divided into equal constituencies.
 Voters elect one candidate.
 The candidate who receives the highest number of votes is regarded as a winner.
 Is used in USA, India.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.2 Electoral systems
Second ballot system (Majoritarian):
 There is a single voting choice.
 Candidate needs to receive the majority of the votes cast
 If no candidate wins, then second run occurs between two leading candidates.
 Is used in France, Chile.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.2 Electoral systems
Alternative vote system (Majoritarian):
 It is constituency based.
 There is preference voting or voting rank in order of preference.
 Winning candidate must have received 50 % or more of the votes cast.
 Is used in Austria.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.2 Electoral systems
Mixed member proportional system:
 Voters elect one candidate in the constituency and one political party.
 A proportion of seats are filled by candidates.
 The remaining seats are then filled by political parties.
 Is used in Germany, Italy.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.2 Electoral systems
Single transferable vote system (Semi-Proportional representation):
 Parties put candidates based on the number of available seats.
 There is preferential voting.
 Candidates need to attain a certain number of votes (quota).
 Is used in Ireland, United Kingdom.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 5. Electoral systems
5.2 Electoral systems
Party list system (Proportional representation):
 The entire country is treated as a constituency, and or regions may also be treated as
constituencies.
 Parties have lists of candidates in a descending order of preference.
 Electors vote for parties only
 Parties are allocated seats based on the number of votes received.
 Is used in Belgium, Switzerland.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 6.Voting behavior
6.1 Theories of voting
Party identification model:
 Is based on sense of psychological attachment that people have towards political parties.
 There is a sense of being long-term supporters.
 Voting is therefore a result of partisanship

Sociological model:
 Voting is a reflection of economic and social position of a group.
 It reflects divisions and tensions in the society.
 Divisions can be through: class, gender, ethnicity, religion, and region.
Week 9: Representation, Elections and
Voting: 6.Voting behavior
6.1 Theories of voting
Rational choice model:
 Voting is seen as rational act.
 Voters decide their party preference based on their individual personal interest.
 Voting is seen as a means to an end.

Dominant ideology model:

 Individual choices are shaped by ideological manipulation and control.
 Voting reflects a person’s position in a social hierarchy.
 Individuals interpret their position based on how they have been presented to them.