Effective Political Representation and Political Parties - Assignment Example

Effective Political Representation and Political Parties Introduction This paper would attempt to study the aspect of the need for political parties in aptly representing various political issues. For the purpose, the subject would be thoroughly examined from all possible angles, encompassing the diverse facets. This topic is indeed a tricky one, as on a global basis, there are countless instances speaking both for and also against the representation by political parties. In the paper, all the related varied aspects of the subject would be scrupulously examined. Based on that, one can come to the conclusion of their choice. Are Political Parties Needed? This indeed is a highly vital question, for which different sections of the society come out with different answers. Answer of each section is in total variance with those (answers) related to other sections! Here, a brief mention of the related scenario of the French Revolution would be very much appropriate. During that particular revolution, the French populace totally rejected the concept of political representation. They argued that, this form of representation is the major obstacle for advent of the scenario, which is marked by self-governance by people. (1) (AcaDemon Term Papers & Essays, 2010) Despite all that, some quarters of the modern society are in total disagreement with that opinion. They emphatically state that, at the time of the French Revolution, there was a totalitarian governmental system in France. And what the citizens of France felt holds good only for such political scenarios where unlimited power is present in the hands of the rulers. As a matter of fact, it is being strongly voiced that, for all the modern democratic societies, political representation by political parties is very much essential. In fact, it is this very representation that makes sure that, people indeed enjoy all the privileges that are guaranteed by a democratic system of government. Political Representation in Western Countries In Western democratic societies, political parties address the all-important aspect of political representation. A survey was carried out in nine countries of Western Europe, about the way various parties have fared while representing political issues. The survey included both voters and also politicians. After completion of the survey, the resultant observations were not similar! On some points, there was total agreement between the opinions of the common people and politicians, while on some others (points), there were total discrepancies! (2) (RUSSELL J. DALTON, 2010) This subtly focuses on a fact. Even in modern-day democracies, there are citizens who are not happy with the way the political parties perform, while representing various key issues related to people. Likewise, there are even people who strongly opine that political parties indeed play a pivotal role in representation of several vital matters! To put the matter in a nutshell, overall, the society is divided into two halves, each holding entirely different views on the topic in question. On the whole, political parties do play a major part in highlighting the numerous vital political issues and matters related to the welfare of people. However, it needs to be conceded that they too become extremely susceptible to various strong factors. Some of these factors are well beyond the control of politicians, like instances where severe violence is spread across the zone coming under their jurisdiction. (3) (IDEA, 2010). In this context, it is of utmost relevance that the required assistance is provided to parties, so that they are enabled in doing justice to their role as representatives of key matters. And this assistance can be given only when there is a thorough understanding of all the related factors. The Worldwide Initiative, IDEA’s Democracy, Conflict and Security, is relentlessly striving to aptly comprehend all the influences that make the political parties extremely vulnerable. For this purpose, the Initiative is taking guidance from the corresponding scenario of Columbia, where the political parties were bogged down by serious impediments! In that country, these impediments were not just confined to political parties, but even the overall political system got gravely jeopardized. (3) (IDEA, 2010). Observatory on Political Parties and Representation The observatory on Political Parties and Representation (OPPR) is a project related to the European Region. It is propelled by the objective of carrying out an in-depth study of political parties and the diverse facets of representation, with regard to the European zone. Amongst the numerous aspects being examined by OPPR, party funding, party patronage and collaborations, amongst many others, are also inclusive. Based on all the gathered information, the project aims to come out with apt recommendations for ensuring that the parties function effectively, in terms of representing several vital matters. (4) (European University Institute, ND). Decline in the Role of Political Parties as Mediators In many advanced Western democratic societies, of late, there has been a steady decline in the role of political parties as mediators between the government and people. Here, a new trend is starting to get more and more popular. It is the one where the government sponsored programs are encouraging the citizens to be active participants. These programs are designed with the primary purpose of substantially enhancing the communications between the citizens and governments. Based on this, the governments endeavor to chalk out apt strategies and policies that are indeed beneficial for the common denizens of the land. (5) (Acadmia.edu, 2010). At this juncture, it won’t be out of place in emphasizing upon some more key points speaking about the above-mentioned decline in the role of politicians. Since the recent past, worldwide, the integrity of parties is being seriously questioned by the people. The same is evident by the fact that there is a consistent drop in the number of people who exercise their franchise during elections. This globally prominent trend bears testimony to a key fact. Indeed, people no longer are happy with the way political parties have been mediating on the issues of utmost importance to them (people). (5) (Acadmia.edu, 2010). As a matter of fact, in Sweden, many unique policies and programs have been launched by the government. These, by increasing the participation by people, make sure that the country is indeed committed to meticulously adhering to the principles of democracy. Owing to all the programs, the common people of Sweden are enabled to exert a major influence over many of the decisions made by the government. Of course, all such decisions are pertinent to aspects that are directly linked to the well-being of the common denizens of the land. All such initiatives that endeavor to actively involve even the common people are classified as being programs of “participatory engineering”. (5) (Acadmia.edu, 2010). The contents of the preceding paragraphs strongly suggest that, when popularity of such governmental initiatives rises, the need for political parties to represent the political issues would be steadily eliminated. The logical conclusion here would be that, in all those western societies, the majority of the population is now not in favor of allowing parties to be as their representatives. They prefer that participatory engineering should be the way of the governance, of their respective countries. Romani Political Parties Owing to the shortcomings of the political parties and groups that are in the mainstream, many new Roma parties came into existence. It was hoped by the citizens that, these new political groups would be able to aptly representing their concerns over diverse aspects related to human rights. But the new groups were only partially successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. In fact, it was also noted that the new parties could not prevent the vital matters from getting sidetracked! Another striking fact, in this connection is that, during the elections, they (new Roma parties) obtained a very small percentage of the entire votes! This throws light on the fact that Roma citizens do not blindly go by the words of the politicians who make tall claims about taking care of the welfare. (6) (Debatewise, 2010). It is always good that there are committed political groups that run the extra mile in representing the issues of ethnic minorities. But the key point in this regard is that, long-term success can be displayed by only those Roma political parties that are sincerely dedicated towards the cause of minorities. On the contrary, if all claims about betterment of racial minorities are confined only to election campaigns, the Roma people would just reject all such parties and groups! (6) (Debatewise, 2010). The points discussed in the previous paragraph again denote an instance where people were not appropriately represented by the political parties. All instances of this pattern add further strength to the arguments of those sections of the society that are strongly in favor of a governance that is predominantly driven by participatory engineering! Profile of Political Representatives In many regions, when a party is unsure about the outcome of elections, it makes those candidates to contest, who are not residents of the constituency in question. This practice is strikingly prominent in Jamaica, where the parties totally ignore the candidates who are preferred by the people. But it is an irrefutable fact that, only those candidates residing in the same region as that of the related voters would be successful in aptly representing the people. There is a highly valid reason for stating so. For, it is only such candidates who are fully aware about all the issues of the zone, and which need to be promptly addressed. (7) (The Gleaner, 2010). As a matter of fact, it is equally relevant that, even before contesting in the elections, the candidates should have toiled a lot. These efforts should be in the direction of fully understanding all the issues faced by the voters of the concerned constituency. It is only after such committed efforts that they would be able to appropriately represent the voters, after winning the elections! (7) (The Gleaner, 2010). Aspirations of People and Write-in Ballots The elaboration on the topic “Political representation and political parties” would be incomplete without focusing on the important aspect of write-in ballot. Before elaborating on that term (write-in ballot) it is essential in comprehending as to what that term means. In an election, a write-in candidate is one whose name is not included in the ballot. But, they could be the preferred candidate of the voters, who write their name during elections. In fact, in this context, it would be very interesting in observing that some states of the US permit write-in candidates. There, at the time of elections, the voters are asked to paste a sticker that has the name of a write-in candidate. This person is the one whom people consider would best function according to their aspirations. There has been just handful of instances in the history of the United States, where write-in candidates went on to win the elections. (7) (The Gleaner, 2010). Now, the concept of write-in ballot needs to be analyzed from the perspective of the topic in question (political representation and political parties). It is very much a possibility that, there could well be situations, where the candidates who are permitted to officially contest in the elections might not be those who are preferred by the voters. Candidates who are actually in the good books of the voters could have been stopped from participating in the polls. This is because of various forms of petty politics and other relevant factors! In such scenarios, it is indispensable that the feature of write-in ballot gets included in the electoral system. In a democratic set-up, it is the right of people to decide as to who actually is the best politician to represent them to the government. But in the event of scenarios similar to the one stated above, in a way, voters are deprived of that freedom! Their chosen candidates are kept away from the event (elections) and they are almost coerced to cast the vote in favor of any of the other names. It is in no way an exaggeration in maintaining that, that is a rather perturbing situation, at least from the viewpoint of the common citizen! The matter could also be presented in another way. Before examining the aspect of whether or not political parties are aptly representing the numerous political issues related to the people, a requirement has to be met. The requirement is that, firstly, it has to be fully made sure that all those candidates whom the people consider as being competent to represent various key issues are given an opportunity to contest in elections. This becomes fully possible when a write-in ballot system is permitted! When that system is also included in the electoral process, dedicated candidates who have been hindered from participation are still with a chance of getting elected by the voters! And when that happens, it would invariably lead to a scenario where a politician is indeed an appropriate representative of several political issues that are of key relevance for well being of the people. Conclusion This paper has encompassed most of the intricate facets of the topic. Owing to that, it is rather difficult to be confidently stating whether or not political parties are required for the right representation of political matters. It needs to be candidly admitted that, all the real instances detailed in this write-up suggest that, political parties are not that necessary for the purpose. But on the other hand, the present corresponding scenarios in various other democratic regions of the globe are saying that political parties do render yeoman service in highlighting all the vital issues. In relation to all that, it can be inferred that, ultimately, the answer to this question of the need for presence of parties depends upon the situation in the given country, as well as other related factors. Generalization in this regard just results in misguiding the people! The topic that has been discussed by this paper is an exhaustive one. Hence, it is just not possible to be covering all the aspects related to it in a brief paper such as this one. Yet, a sincere attempt is made to include the most important of all the points that are directly related to this subject! SOURCES 1) AcaDemon Term Papers & Essays, 2010. Political Parties and Representation in Modern Democracies. Retrieved from academon.com/Research-Paper-Political-Parties-and-Representation-in-Modern-Democracies/95455. 2) RUSSELL J. DALTON, 2010. Political Parties and Political representation. Retrieved from cps.sagepub.com/content/18/3/267.abstract. 3) IDEA, 2010. Conflict, Security and Political Parties and Political Representation. Retrieved from idea.int/conflict/parties_representation.cfm. 4) European University Institute, ND. Observatory on Political Parties and Representation. Retrieved from eui.eu/Projects/EUDO-OPPR/Home.aspx. 5) Acadmia.edu, 2010. Papers in Political Representation. Retrieved from academia.edu/Papers/in/Political_Representation. 6) Debatewise, 2010. IS THE EXISTENCE OF ROMANI POLITICAL PARTIES A SOLUTION FOR SUCCESS OF ROMA POLITICAL PARTICIPATION? Retrieved from debatewise.com/debates/2070-is-the-existence-of-romani-political-parties-a-solution-for-success-of-roma-political-participation. 7) The Gleaner, 2010. Write-in Ballots and Political Representation. Retrieved from jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101125/letters/letters6.html. Read More