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Single Idea 19998
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy
]
Full Idea
When the deputies represent the body or estate of the people, as in Holland, they ought to be accountable to their constituents. When the deputies represent boroughs, as in England, the situation is not the same.
Gist of Idea
If deputies represent people, they are accountable, but less so if they represent places
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 11.06)
Book Ref
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.185
A Reaction
Not sure how this works. Modern UK MPs are accountable to the residents of their borough. Did the Dutch actually name the citizens that a deputy represented?
The
20 ideas
with the same theme
[the people chose a small group to govern]:
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22533
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If the people are equal in nature, then they should all share in ruling
[Aristotle]
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2817
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It is wrong that a worthy officer of state should seek the office
[Aristotle]
|
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22576
|
No office is permanent in a democracy
[Aristotle]
|
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7254
|
If you try to get elected, you should be permanently barred from seeking office
[More,T]
|
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19998
|
If deputies represent people, they are accountable, but less so if they represent places
[Montesquieu]
|
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7251
|
The English are actually slaves in between elections
[Rousseau]
|
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20558
|
Your representative owes you his judgement, and betrays you if he gives your opinion instead
[Burke]
|
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22041
|
Representatives by region ignores whether they care about the national interest
[Hegel, by Pinkard]
|
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20504
|
People can only participate in decisions in small communities, so representatives are needed
[Mill]
|
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16009
|
When we seek our own 'freedom' we are just trying to avoid responsibility
[Kierkegaard]
|
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22682
|
Universal suffrage is no guarantee of wise choices
[Tocqueville]
|
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7976
|
People like democracy because it means they can avoid power
[Baudrillard]
|
|
22264
|
Modern liberal rights in democracies protect individuals against the majority
[Sandel]
|
|
23260
|
A cap on time of service would restrict party control and career ambitions
[Grayling]
|
|
7477
|
Modern democracy is actually elective oligarchy
[Watson]
|
|
20093
|
In the 18th century democratic lots lost out to elections, that gave us a non-hereditary aristocracy
[Reybrouck]
|
|
20091
|
Representative elections were developed in order to avoid democracy
[Reybrouck]
|
|
21126
|
Representative should be either obedient, or sensible, or typical
[Shorten]
|
|
21128
|
There is 'mirror representation' when the institution statistically reflects the population
[Shorten]
|
|
21127
|
In a changed situation a Mandated Representative can't keep promises and fight for constituents
[Shorten]
|