What are the principles behind sociological and agency representation? What are some examples of each type?
What are the principles behind sociological and agency representation? What are some examples of each type? Describe the difference between a trustee and a delegate. Which type of representation do you believe is the most optimum? Why? Please provide examples to support your position.
Sociological representation means when individuals have things in common like race, gender, ethnicity, religion or education. When the representative shares the same views as the audience, it is believed that they would represent the audience’s interest better and more effectively. An example of that would be speakers for gay rights, no matter where they are at, they would present the same idea and concept to promote and fight for their rights. If they are on different sides of the country, they know they are sharing the same idea, and the things they believe in.
Agency representation is when the individual does not share the same views, interests and beliefs from the ones they represent. An attorney in court is a good example of this, when regardless of the views of the attorney on a certain situation, they have to represent their client to their best knowledge, otherwise the client would change the attorney. The representative would have to be detached from the situation and not take their emotions or views into considerations, and represent the client any way possible.
The difference between a trustee and a delegate is the way they represent a certain party. A trustee has the power to make decisions that they believe is best for their constituents. The issue with this is that the trustee may have different views of what is best than the party they are representing. On the other hand, a delegate is a person who represents the views of the party they are representing, taking into consideration their preferences and wishes. In the case of the delegate, they cannot make decisions based on what they think is right or wrong, but what the party they are representing wants and asks for. Some members blend the two approaches meaning that a representative can act as a delegate in some situations while in others they may act as a trustee. An example of that can be a person who is sent to Iraq from the US government to solve certain issues. They may act as a trustee on where to position the troops and what strategy to take, but they act as a delegate on issues whether or not to keep the troops there, because this person may have a different opinion about the subject, and may think that taking the troops out of there will be the best solution, while the government thinks otherwise.
If I had to choose between agency and sociological representation, I would say sociological is better because it comes from a certain belief or idea, and can be presented in a better way. When a person believes in something, they can be more effective and persuasive because it comes from the heart rather than just doing something they are told to do. The best representation is when it is honest and for a good cause. In the case of a trustee and a delegate, I think the delegate can be a better option because it represents the party and its views rather than the views of a certain individual and what they think is best, which may cause complications in some situations and different interests.
