By David Judge
This e-book presents a superb perception into the speculation and perform of political illustration, an idea that's valuable to the certainty of recent British politics. The booklet explores the most important parts of illustration and the inextricable connections among idea and the original British consultant culture. utilizing vast modern examples and key theorists, this booklet should be crucial examining for college students of British politics.
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Extra info for Representation: Theory and Practice in British Politics
Example text
The primary problem of government remained that of minimising the extent to which rulers could encroach upon the wider maximisation of individual and community happiness. One possibility would be direct democracy, but ‘it is obviously impossible that the community in a body can be present to afford protection of its members’ ([1820] 1992:7). Moreover, direct democracy was deemed impractical and inefficient. It was impractical because ‘to assemble the whole of a community as often as the business of Government requires performance would almost preclude the existence of labour; hence that of property; and hence the existence of the community itself.
The means of exercising this ‘dislocative power’ was, of course, to be through elections, which were to be (nearly) universal, secret, free, equal and annual ([1817] 1843: 452–3). Good government could be secured through representation based upon popular elections because: there does exist [on the part of electors] the disposition to contribute towards the advancement of the universal interest, whatsoever can be contributed by their votes: by those votes…will be determined the individuality of the several persons on whom, in the character of their representatives, will be incumbent the duty of acting their parts respectively, towards the accomplishment of the same ultimate and comprehensive end.
1994:183). The best indication of the impact of increased representation of women upon public policy is provided, however, in Norway and Sweden, with respectively 36 per cent and 38 per cent of women in their national parliaments. In Norway, Bystydzienski’s research indicates that ‘as more women entered Parliament and county and municipal councils, they made it possible for women’s issues, concerns, and values to be discussed, debated, and legislated more openly and frequently’ (1992:20). Indeed, Bystydzienski (1992:15) concludes that when female representation reaches at least 15 per cent then it begins to make a difference.
