Representation

Abstract

The fundamental political procedures of mass democracy are linked, in our conception, by a common focus upon the responsiveness of politicians to electors. All the provisions relating to voting rights, to equality of information, to the predominance of the electoral decision over intervening decisions, are designed to ensure that elected representatives do carry out popular desires, so far as these can be ascertained. In discussing fundamental procedures we gave explicit recognition to the role of parties and of relationships between representatives and their constituents, since we regard both as essential means by which mass democracies ensure some responsiveness of politicians to electors. We have already examined attitudes to parties — in Chapter 2 specifically with regard to their involvement in democratic processes. This chapter analyses the second means of electoral control which has developed particularly in mass democracies—the constituency relationship between elector and representative.