Political Science Chapter VI: Elections and Representation

Chapter VI: Representation, Election, and Suffrage

• Elections are central to democratic politics, requiring citizen participation.
• Elections are competitive processes for obtaining office.
• Competitive elections hold governments accountable to the governed.
• Top-down elections are tools of elite control, encouraging obedience to the state.
• Representative democracy involves electing officials to represent the people's interests.
• Representation can be through delegation, trusteeship, or resemblance.
• Delegate Model: Politicians follow the views of represented people.
• Trustee Model: Politicians act based on their own judgment for the greater good.
• Mandate Model: Elections provide a mandate for implementing policies.
• Resemblance Model: Representatives mirror the characteristics of those they represent.
• Elections build support bases and select leaders, promoting legitimacy and recruitment.

Electoral System

• Electoral systems govern election procedures.
• Voting acts as a civic duty impacting leader selection.
• Voting is a moral responsibility, securing a country's future.

Classical Theories of Suffrage

• Ethical Theory: Suffrage develops a citizen's potential.

Legal Theories of Suffrage

• Legal Theory: Suffrage is a privilege granted by the state.
• Tribal theory: Suffrage is a right of membership in a political entity.
• Natural Right theory: Suffrage is an inherent right of the people to choose their leaders.
• Feudal theory: Suffrage is based on property ownership or tax payment.

Contemporary Theories of Voting

• Party Identification: Voting based on party affiliation, not current events.
• Sociological Model: Social group and class influence voting behavior.
• Rational Choice Model: Voting is rationally calculated to serve self-interest.
• Dominant Ideology Model: Voting is influenced by manipulative ideology.

Categories of Voters

• Anthony Downs: Voters vote if benefits outweigh costs.
• Income and Education: Higher socioeconomic statuses are more likely to vote.
• Age and Gender: Younger people and women may be less politically involved.
• Race and Ethnicity: Minority groups may be less politically involved.
• Area of Residence: Urban residents generally have higher turnout.

Electoral Participation

• Long-term influences: Socioeconomic status and party affiliation drive voting.
• Short-term influences: Current events and personal affiliations impact decision-making.
• Class voting: Social class is a significant factor.

Chapter VII: Legislative Assemblies

• Legistlative assemblies represent the people and form the laws.
• Legistlative power is seen as fundamental to a liberal democracy.
• Features of legislative power include: passage of bills, amending of existing laws, creation of new laws and amending of laws.
• Legislative power exists when a bill is passed, an existing law is replaced or amended.
• Legislative power is vested in the congress, which may be unicameral or bicameral.
• Initiative allows for direct voter involvement in lawmaking.
• Referendums allow the people to vote on laws proposed by legislative bodies.
• Bicameral system involves two chambers; unicameral systems employ only one.
• Bicameral system strengths include distinct representation, enhanced deliberation and preventing concentration of power.

Chapter VIII: Political Executive: Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems

• Executive branch implements and enforces laws.
• This branch is headed by a president in a presidential system or a prime minister in a parliamentary system.
• Presidential systems feature elected presidents directly accountable to the people, responsible for both domestic and foreign policies.
• Core features of this system include: fixed terms, independence of executive from legislative, and divided power.
• Parliamentary systems feature parliaments electing the head of the executive (prime minister), typically responsible for domestic policy while the broader role of the head of state is occupied by a monarch.
• Key features include: fusion of powers, no fixed terms for executive (can be removed from legislation via vote of no-confidence), and a ceremonial head of state.
• Semi-presidential systems combine elements of both.

Chapter IX: Judiciary

• The judiciary interprets laws and settles disputes.
• Key features of the judiciary include: independence from political interference, the ability to enforce legal rulings and the interpretation of laws.
• Judicial power involves settling disputes and enforcing rulings.
• The doctrine of judicial supremacy, asserts the judiciary's authority to nullify laws or executive actions not compatible with the constitution.
• Key requirements for a judge include: independence, neutrality and impartiality.
• Judicial review involves testing the validity of legislative and executive actions, evaluating conformity with the constitution

Chapter X: Bureaucracy and the Public Sector

• Bureaucracy is the administrative structure within government.
• Bureaucracy is tasked with implementing, enforcing and executing laws.
• Bureaucracy employs administrative machinery and civil service personnel.
• Bureaucracy enables the efficient delivery of public services.
• Theories of bureaucracy include Weberian, New Right, and Government Oversupply models.

Chapter XI: Local Governments

• Local governments manage local affairs.
• They derive authority from higher levels of government.
• Local governments are key for efficient service delivery, enhancing accountability and responsiveness.
• Key models: Dual, fused, competence, and traditional.
• Decentralization, devolution, and deconcentration refer to the transfer of authority to local levels.

Chapter XII: Civil Service in the Philippines

• Civil service employees are all those appointed in the government.
• Civil service comprises government employees who are appointed via merit-based competitive exams.
• Accountability is vital to ensuring a just and efficient administrative system.
• Exemptions exist for highly specialized skill sets and roles requiring discretion or decision/policy-making.