The trustee model of representation is a model of a
representative democracy
Representative democracy, also known as indirect democracy or electoral democracy, is a type of democracy where elected delegates represent a group of people, in contrast to direct democracy. Nearly all modern Western-style democracies func ...
, frequently contrasted with the
delegate model of representation. In this model,
constituents elect their representatives as '
trustees' for their
constituency
An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) district, sometimes called a constituency, riding, or ward, is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state or province, city, or administrative region, created to provi ...
. These 'trustees' have
autonomy
In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy is the capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision. Autonomous organizations or institutions are independent or self-governing. Autonomy can also be ...
to deliberate and act as they see fit, in their own conscience even if it means going against the explicit desires of their constituents. By contrast, in the delegate model, the representative is expected to act strictly in accordance with the beliefs of their constituents.
History
This model was formulated by
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke (; 12 January ew Style, NS1729 – 9 July 1797) was an Anglo-Irish Politician, statesman, journalist, writer, literary critic, philosopher, and parliamentary orator who is regarded as the founder of the Social philosophy, soc ...
(1729–1797), an Irish MP and philosopher, who opposed the delegate model of representation. In the trustee model, Burke argued that his behavior in
Parliament
In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
should be informed by his knowledge and experience, allowing him to serve the
public interest. Essentially, a trustee considers an issue and, after hearing all sides of the debate, exercises their own judgment in making decisions about what should be done.
His unbiased opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. ... Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
You choose a member, indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not a member of Bristol, but he is a member of Parliament. (Burke, 1774)
He made these statements immediately after being elected, and after his colleague had spoken in favour of coercive instructions being given to representatives. Burke
conscientiously objected to slavery,
but needed to balance this against
his electors' slave trade business.
This played a minor role in decreasing support for reelecting him in Bristol, forcing him to run in Malton,
which did not benefit from the slave trade.
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 – 7 May 1873) was an English philosopher, political economist, politician and civil servant. One of the most influential thinkers in the history of liberalism and social liberalism, he contributed widely to s ...
preferred intelligent representatives.
He stated that while all individuals have a right to be represented, not all political opinions are of equal value. He suggested a model where constituents would receive votes that increase based on each level of education past simple literacy and math.
Further reading
*Burke, Edmund. 1774. ''Speech to the electors of Bristol'' in The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke. Vol. II. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press (1906).
See also
*
Delegate model of representation
References
{{reflist
Democracy