Introduction to American Politics online course discussion – Functions of Representation

I’m studying and need help with a Political Science question to help me learn.

Please reply to the question and comment constructively on a classmates’ posting.

Question

In your view, how do our Congress-people tend to view their function (or functions) of? representation? Should they act as trustees? As instructed delegates? Partisans? Politicos? Does it vary In what way would you prefer them to act? What would be the best type of representation? We should get some good debate on this I hope. INTERACT please.

Here is classmate’s posting from question. Please reply in 1st person point of view.

Classmate’s post

From an article by The Oakland Press, Johnathan Mott states “A delegate is a representative who casts votes that are consistent with the desires of the majority of the constituents he or she represents,” and “A trustee, on the other hand, is a representative who casts votes based on what he or she thinks is best. Some members blend both approaches, behaving as a delegate in some instances and as a trustee in others.” I personally believe that Congress-people should act as a trustee, having their personal opinion on who deserves their vote is what should matter. If a candidate is proving their self unworthy of a vote then anyone should be capable of voting for the opposing candidate. Their vote shouldn’t matter what constituent they represent because they could represent that candidate and the candidate’s mindset could be considered opposite to what a Congress-person had in mind for the future.

Work Cited

Gilbert, Glenn. “Trustee or Delegate? Congress’ Role up for Debate.” The Oakland Press, 27 Mar. 2010, www.theoaklandpress.com/news/trustee-or-delegate-congress-role-up-for-debate/article_93ee0c34-5be7-5960-8db3-d263395788cf.html.