Territorial representation has been preferred to functional representation in most of the democratic systems. Discuss in the context of their merits and limitations
APPROACH:
- Explain territorial representation and functional representation
- By writing some merits and limitations of these systems show why territorial representation has been preferred to functional representation in the most democratic system.
All over the world, there are two known criteria of general representation, namely, territorial or geographical division of constituencies and the functional or occupational basis for composing a constituency.
Territorial Representation
A widely prevalent form of representation in most democratic states is the territorial or geographic composition of constituencies. The total electorate of the country is divided into territorial constituencies, which elect one representative (if a single -member constituency) or more (in the case of the multi-member constituency). The entire population is divided into constituencies with a more or less equal number of voters. After every decade, the constituencies are delimited to accommodate the population change s, under the supervision and control of the delimitation commission established by an act of parliament.
Functional Representation
In this system, the citizens are divided into constituencies on the basis of their economic functions or occupational interests, which they represent in society. For instance, there would be separate constituencies for farmers, Industrial workers, traders, manufacturers, teachers, lawyers, journalists, and government employees. housewives etc.
The underlying assumption is that citizens' representation is more genuinely and directly assured if they are composed in specific functional units for elections, rather than in occupationally varied and functionally heterogeneous territorial units.
Merits of the system of territorial representation:
- It is a simple, practical and convenient system.
- It enshrines the basic principle of equality, namely "one person one vote". Jeremy Bentham had laid down basic principles: "Each( was) to count for one and nobody for more than one".
- Due to the manageable limits of a constituency, the voter and his representatives can develop a relationship of mutual understanding and respect.
- The system entails lesser election costs and expenditures for the candidate.
- It helps to provide a stable majority in the legislature, ensuring the peaceful transition of governmental activity.
Limitations of functional representations:
There are several weaknesses in the system of functional representation.
- English political theorist and economist Harold Joseph Laski says: "Vocational bodies have value for the resolution of functional problems; but they are not by their nature, built to deal with the general issues which must be faced by society as a whole".
- It is also pointed out that in this system often "function becomes so important that it obscures the individual".
- Other critics say that it should be kept in mind that in this system the deputies do not belong to the nation but only to their separate functions.
- Further, it is very difficult to decide, fairly and objectively, as to which function and occupations should be represented in the legislature and what should be excluded.
- More difficult still is the problem of fixing proportionate representation for the different functional groups.
- If the functional representation principle is accepted as the basis of election to the parliament and legislatures then the existing party system will not work because today a party represents many interest groups and includes persons belonging to several functions and vocations.
Keeping all this in mind, therefore, the method of territorial representation is preferred in almost all democratic systems. However, the principle of functional representation is sometimes incorporated in the composition of the upper house in bicameral legislation like in the Rajya Sabha in the parliament of India.
APPROACH:
- Explain territorial representation and functional representation
- By writing some merits and limitations of these systems show why territorial representation has been preferred to functional representation in the most democratic system.
All over the world, there are two known criteria of general representation, namely, territorial or geographical division of constituencies and the functional or occupational basis for composing a constituency.
Territorial Representation
A widely prevalent form of representation in most democratic states is the territorial or geographic composition of constituencies. The total electorate of the country is divided into territorial constituencies, which elect one representative (if a single -member constituency) or more (in the case of the multi-member constituency). The entire population is divided into constituencies with a more or less equal number of voters. After every decade, the constituencies are delimited to accommodate the population change s, under the supervision and control of the delimitation commission established by an act of parliament.
Functional Representation
In this system, the citizens are divided into constituencies on the basis of their economic functions or occupational interests, which they represent in society. For instance, there would be separate constituencies for farmers, Industrial workers, traders, manufacturers, teachers, lawyers, journalists, and government employees. housewives etc.
The underlying assumption is that citizens' representation is more genuinely and directly assured if they are composed in specific functional units for elections, rather than in occupationally varied and functionally heterogeneous territorial units.
Merits of the system of territorial representation:
- It is a simple, practical and convenient system.
- It enshrines the basic principle of equality, namely "one person one vote". Jeremy Bentham had laid down basic principles: "Each( was) to count for one and nobody for more than one".
- Due to the manageable limits of a constituency, the voter and his representatives can develop a relationship of mutual understanding and respect.
- The system entails lesser election costs and expenditures for the candidate.
- It helps to provide a stable majority in the legislature, ensuring the peaceful transition of governmental activity.
Limitations of functional representations:
There are several weaknesses in the system of functional representation.
- English political theorist and economist Harold Joseph Laski says: "Vocational bodies have value for the resolution of functional problems; but they are not by their nature, built to deal with the general issues which must be faced by society as a whole".
- It is also pointed out that in this system often "function becomes so important that it obscures the individual".
- Other critics say that it should be kept in mind that in this system the deputies do not belong to the nation but only to their separate functions.
- Further, it is very difficult to decide, fairly and objectively, as to which function and occupations should be represented in the legislature and what should be excluded.
- More difficult still is the problem of fixing proportionate representation for the different functional groups.
- If the functional representation principle is accepted as the basis of election to the parliament and legislatures then the existing party system will not work because today a party represents many interest groups and includes persons belonging to several functions and vocations.
Keeping all this in mind, therefore, the method of territorial representation is preferred in almost all democratic systems. However, the principle of functional representation is sometimes incorporated in the composition of the upper house in bicameral legislation like in the Rajya Sabha in the parliament of India.
