The Representative and Her Constituents Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Representative and Her Constituents - Essay Example It is, therefore, arguable that a representative in this form of governance, has to share the democratic characteristics of the majority of the constituency or resemble those he represent for him to understand the concerns and empathize with the people. Melancton Smith has been credited for being the most well spoken antifederalist’s supporter, and the most conscious supporter of in-office relation. Smith argued that representatives should portray a true picture of the citizens they are representing, and be knowledgeable as far as their wants and situations are concerned (Mezey 21). He also argued that representatives should sympathize with the people and always aim at seeking their interests. His point was that the most essential knowledge for representatives is not political or commercial knowledge attained through education, but it is the knowledge of acquaintance with the occupations and concerns of the people. According to Smith, understanding the real commercial interest of a country does not only require the general ideas of the world, but also, most importantly, knowledge the country, its value, the manufactures, and the capability of the country to enlarge production (Mezey 35). Exercising such powers as laying duties, exercises, and taxes, requires more than acquaintance with the obscure parts of the financial system. ... He felt that this would not only help eliminate any plots against the authority and liberty of the government, but it would also be the best mode for remedy to such crimes. In concluding his speech, Smith said that the number of representatives should large so that while it embraces first class men, it should also admit to the middle class people (101). He felt that if the number were small, the office would be distinguished and elevated. In my opinion, his arguments were admirable since he was against office corruption. He called for prefect representation of the people. Smith believed that the size of the national legislature when coupled with the class-cultural deferential patterns would lead to a body comprised primarily by individuals from the refined and elevated classes. This is because he argued that the high-class people form better associations as compared to the poor and the middle class people who form such associations with difficulty. He, therefore, said that in case el ections by plurality were called, the great would be chosen because they unite their interests, with the poor dividing themselves. He further felt that if the first class were excluded from the legislation, they would be discontented and continually disturb the government. Majority-minority districts refer to the rule for new electoral boundaries to create electoral districts with a majority population of a grouping as a national minority (110). These voting districts have been created as a remedy to the increased underrepresentation of the interests of the minority in political matters. It ensures that the minority group is so large and geographically positioned such that a