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Unit 12: Politics of Representation and Participation

plan of representation on the basis of economic or occupational groups, point out that such groups Notes
“are indefinite and impermanent in their composition. Many essential occupations form no distinct
interests in relation to fundamental political questions.”
Characteristic Representation: It may be taken as a little different form of functional representation.
It is argued that the legislative chamber should be a microcosm of the social composition. As such,
the representative drawn from a particular segment of the society alone can represent or articulate its
interests. For instance, the women understand the problems and interests of the women and so they
alone can represent the women folk. It cannot be appreciated in view of the fact that if representation
is given to sectional groups on any basis whatsoever, then nobody will care for the public good or
national interests. Indeed, it “may simply be a recipe for social division and conflict.”
Concluding Observations: Though proportional, minority and functional representation systems
have merits of their own, it cannot be denied that their demerits far outweigh their merits. It is just for
this reason that the system of territorial representation is considered to be the best one in the midst of
other systems of representation in order to apply it to a democratic state. However, a successful
operation of the territorial or geographical representation system needs taking of certain important
steps that may be enumerated as under:
1. There should be universal adult franchise system. The formula of ‘one person, one vote’ should
be scrupulously adhered to. Thus, any discrimination on artificial grounds like those of property
in Portugal (where a minimum tax payment is required), or sex as in Saudi Arabia, San Marino
and Paraguay (there is no female franchise), or standard of literacy as in Brazil (where illiterates
are not given right to vote) etc., is a slur on the name of representative government.
2. Representation should be given to the really competent and incorruptible people. The system
of representative democracy demands from the representative the duty to devote himself to the
cause of public service and this important function cannot be discharged unless the deputy
chosen by the people is both competent and immune from the bonds of material temptations. It
becomes the sacred duty of the voters themselves to see that their choice goes for the really
deserving politicians.
3. A concerted attempt should be made both by the constituents and their legislators chosen through
the medium of political parties to strengthen the constitutional regime. Thus, parties going to
either extremes, from rank rightism to rank leftism, should be discouraged. It is also needed
that ultra-revolutionary parties should be banned.
4. The number of political parties should be controlled. Laws should be made for the regulation of
party system. Statutory provisions can be made for granting recognition to political parties on
the basis of election results as we have in our country. It is also necessary that some penalties
should be imposed on the defeated candidates so that the field of elections remains confined to
the really serious contestants. We in India have a statutory arrangement for the forfeiture of
security deposit of a defeated candidate in case he does not get at least 1/6 of the total votes
polled. In Germany, a candidate must get at least five percent of the votes polled to have state
subsidy for his election expenses. If a party fails to secure at least five per cent of the total votes
polled, it farfeits its claim to any seat in the national legislature.
5. Thus, schemes of electoral reforms should be adopted with a view to produce the best possible
type of representatives.

The raison d” etre of a legislature is not only to reflect the opinion of the nation as a whole
that ascribes to it the title of being the’mirror of the nation’, but to maintain good
government.

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