Assisgnment 6 Max Pinsky

POS2041

In the government today, there are currently two different styles of popular representation:

delegate and trustee. Personally if I was able to uptake a governmental position that allowed me to

represent a portion of the U.S. population, I would prefer to be a delegate. In this position however, there

are certain cases in which there should influence from either style, and there are certain cases where

holding a strict style can negatively affect the representative’s standing.

As a representative, there may be certain instances where a delegate may need to conduct his

business in a manner that is relatively like a trustee and vice versa. Delegates, who base their political

influence off of their constituents, are better suited for issues that regard attention to personal policies

and local economy because delegates focus on a relationship between the government and the voice of the

people of whom the delegate represents. Trustees, who base their political influence off of their personal

discretion, are better suited for issues regarding foreign policy and national economy because trustees hold

certain foresight about government and international politics that their constituents may not understand

or be current with. However, there are certain times when the styles cross. For example, when a bill is

rejected after its approval from a subcommittee and is recommended for approval, the delegates may now

have to think rather objectively and trust their own political instincts, rather than the opinions of their

constituents, in order to get the bill approved by the higher committee.

When a representative becomes firmly fixated on one style of representation, certain problems can

arise within their political influence. If a representative decides to only conduct himself in a manner

strictly of a delegate, the delegate retains a strong relationship with their constituents. However, the

delegate will take much longer to exercise any political action because they will constantly be relying on

their constituents in order to make a decision on the action. If a representative decides to only conduct

himself in a manner strictly of a trustee, the trustee will be able to execute political action much faster

than a delegate. However, the trustee will have a very distant relationship with their constituents because

they will only be relying on their own discretion for the political action; there is a stronger possibility that

the trustee will not be re-elected into their position for another term.
Assisgnment 6 Max Pinsky

POS2041

In short, both political styles are appropriate. It all depends on the political action that dictates

which style is necessary. I prefer the delegate style because I would prefer the representative to have my

best interest in mind when making political decisions. However depending on the issue, the representative

may need to enforce the opposite style. It is important that a good representative to have qualities of both

styles in order to execute their power effectively and efficiently.