Concept of Representation
1. What is Representation?
Representation means choosing people to make decisions and govern on behalf of others. These chosen individuals are called representatives, like Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Municipal Corporators, or Panchayat Members. In a democracy, representation is key because it allows people to have a say in how they are governed.
- Direct Democracy: In the past, people directly governed themselves. For example, in ancient Greek city-states like Athens, citizens (only men, not women or the poor) made decisions together. This worked because the area and population were small.
- Indirect Democracy: Today, countries are large, so people elect representatives to govern for them. This is also called representative democracy or responsible government because representatives are accountable to the people.
2. History of Representation
- Divine Right of Kings: Long ago, kings ruled with absolute power, claiming God gave them the right to rule. This was common in medieval Europe and other parts of the world.
- Rise of Representative Assemblies: Over time, kings needed money (taxes) to rule. To get people’s approval for taxes, they called meetings of elected individuals in their capitals. These meetings became representative assemblies. For example:
- The House of Commons in the UK is one of the oldest assemblies.
- Conflicts between kings and assemblies led to events like the English Civil War (1640s) and the French Revolution (1789), which reduced the power of kings and gave more power to assemblies.
- Political Representation: Elected representatives speak for the people, raise their concerns, and protect their interests in these assemblies.
3. Representation in India
- British Rule: After the 1857 revolt, the British allowed some Indians to join decision-making. In 1861, a few Indians were nominated (not elected) to legislative councils.
- Demand for Elected Representatives: Indians wanted the right to choose their representatives. Over time, laws like the Government of India Act, 1935, allowed elected members in provincial assemblies.
- Independence: In 1950, India became a democratic republic with a parliamentary system. The first general elections in 1951–1952 elected representatives to Parliament and state legislatures.
Key Laws for Representation in India:
- Indian Councils Act, 1861: Started legislatures with appointed Indian members.
- Indian Councils Act, 1892: Added some elected members.
- Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909: Increased elected members.
- Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919: More elected members in legislatures.
- Government of India Act, 1935: Most provincial legislature members were elected.
4. Methods of Representation
There are three main ways people are represented in a democracy:
(i) Electoral Method
- People vote to choose their representatives for assemblies where decisions are made.
- Elections are held in constituencies (specific areas). Each constituency elects candidates to represent them.
Types of Electoral Systems:
By Number of Members:
- Single-Member Constituency: One representative is elected (e.g., Lok Sabha elections in India).
- Multi-Member Constituency: Multiple representatives are elected.
By Votes Needed:
- Plurality System (First Past the Post – FPTP): The candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority. Used for Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections in India.
- Majority System: A candidate needs more than 50% of votes to win. Used for India’s President and Vice-President elections.
- Proportional System: Seats are given based on the percentage of votes a party gets. Used in multi-member constituencies (not common in India).
- Single-Transferable Vote (STV): Voters rank candidates by preference. Used for Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council elections in India.
(ii) Non-Electoral Method
- People are appointed or selected to government roles, like officials or members of committees, instead of being elected.
(iii) Non-Official Method
- Civil society groups, like interest and pressure groups, represent people’s needs without joining the government. Examples include trade unions or student organizations.
5. Right to Vote
Adult Franchise: In democracies, all adult citizens can vote, regardless of gender, race, or wealth. In India, anyone 18 or older can vote.
History:
- Earlier, women and the poor couldn’t vote in many places.
- Men got voting rights first, but women had to struggle longer.
- India gave voting rights to all adults (men and women) in 1950 when the Constitution was adopted.
Women’s Voting Rights Timeline:
- United States: 1920
- United Kingdom: 1928
- France and Japan: 1945
- Israel: 1948
- India: 1950
- Switzerland: 1971
6. Channels of Representation
Political Parties
- Definition: Organized groups of people with similar views who want to gain power to implement their ideas.
- Role: They contest elections, present programs based on their ideology, and represent voters’ wishes.
- Levels in India: Parties work at three levels:
National (e.g., Parliament)
State (e.g., State Assemblies)
Local (e.g., Panchayats, Municipalities)
Classification in India:
National Parties: Need at least 6% votes in four or more states and four seats in Lok Sabha, OR 2% seats (11 seats) in Lok Sabha from three states. Examples:
- Indian National Congress
- Bharatiya Janata Party
- Communist Party of India
- Bahujan Samaj Party
- All India Trinamool Congress
State Parties: Recognized in specific states, like Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
Origin:
- Parties formed as assemblies gained power. Members with similar views grouped together to influence decisions.
- In India, the Indian National Congress (1885) was the first party, formed to fight British rule. Others, like the Muslim League and Communist Party, followed.
- New parties form when people feel existing ones don’t meet their needs.
Interest and Pressure Groups
Definition: Groups that try to influence government policies without contesting elections.
Examples in India:
- Business: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
- Trade Unions: Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
- Agricultural Unions: Bharatiya Kisan Union
- Student Unions: National Students Union of India (NSUI)
Difference from Political Parties:
- Parties aim to govern; pressure groups influence from outside.
- Parties have broad goals; pressure groups focus on specific issues.
- Difference from Social Movements: Pressure groups are organized; social movements (like Chipko) are less formal.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Private, non-profit groups that work for causes like child welfare or the environment through peaceful means.
- Example: NGOs for community development or women’s rights.
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