PS100: US Government and Politics

US Government and Politics
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There is a raging debate on whether elected officials are required to behave as trustees or delegates while making decisions. The problematic issue with representation is the fact that many voters are ignorant about political issues and interests. This poses a challenge to the legislators because they are required to represent the interests of their constituents owing to the fact that they are elected through popular vote and yet many of the American voters are unable to fully understand their interests. Americans have strong beliefs about some issues although they are sometimes ignorant of their interests making it extremely difficult to achieve an understanding of the constituents’ majority opinion indicates that a balance between delegate and the trustee model of representation should guide all decisions.
Elected officials as agents represent the people either through the model of a trustee or delegate representation. A trustee assumes that the voters have trust in his capability to display wisdom that is beyond the constituents and he leads them rather than follows them. The trustee model indicates that the legislator makes decisions that are in the best interest of the constituents without consulting them about their wishes and beliefs. The trustee model as espoused by Edmund Burke connotes that a legislator is a member of the legislative body and not a member of the constituency which he represents. This implies that the decisions he makes are in the best interest of the whole nation rather than just the interest of one community or constituency (Russell 5)
A delegate on the other hand consults the will of the people in all critical decisions. The delegate model requires the legislator to undertake only the duties given by the voters (Russell 1). The delegate model is the direct opposite of the trustee model because it views the elected representative as one that represents the will of the people. It views the legislators that subscribe to the trustee model as ones that represent themselves and not the people. The delegate model indicates that the judgment of a district is less prone to error because of its size and is therefore more reliable than one of a single person that purports to make decisions in the best interest of the nation (Russell 6). It indicates that a government that fails to follow the instructions of its citizens is not fit to be referred to as a representative democracy.
The trustee model is appropriate because it recognizes the fact that the elected official takes cognizance of the opinion of the majority where it exists. It also acknowledges that an ‘instruction’ from the constituents does not always exist and this why the legislator takes decisions that are in his view in accordance to the constituents’ and nation’s best interest. This works to meet the needs and demands of the American people because a trustee-legislator is able to discern the best option for constituents and implement it on their behalf. Another reason why the trustee model is appropriate is because constituents are absent during debates that are held in government. This affects their judgment on the possible outcomes of certain decisions. In this case, the delegate model would be inappropriate because their basis for decision making is inadequate. On the contrary, where the electorate has well established strong beliefs about certain issues, then the delegate model would be the most appropriate model for the representative.
Another reason why the trustee model would be the most appropriate for the American people is because the United States constitutional framework has no provision that binds a legislator to vote in accordance to the constituents’ ‘instructions’. This leaves the legislators at liberty to make decisions in the best interest of the constituents. However, the assembly underscores the fact that it has a myriad of duties of high importance and they make decisions in allegiance to God and the country even though no legal contract exists between them and the constituents (Russell 7). Decision making by a trustee legislator in this case is achieves the purpose addressing the needs of the American people.
A trustee model allows the legislator to take a broader view approach that addresses the interests of the nation as opposed to one that addresses the narrow interests of constituents. Decisions made through the trustee model incorporate the legislator’s personal perceptions and attitudes. This model is important when determining delicate issues such as those that would affect the economic state of a larger part of society. Trusteeship decision making takes into consideration the fact that not all citizens may know how best to handle delicate issues. A trustee-legislator with a wider perspective on the delicate issues is able to make decisions that address the needs and demands of the American people.
The delegate model would be effective in making decisions only when the people are aware about the policy options that are reflective of their interests. Constituents require accessing information about important policy informati...