There are
similarities and differences between descriptive representation and substantive representation.
Descriptive representation is when an elected official represents people based on some
characteristic or characteristics the elected official and the people he or she represents
possess. An elected official who is Jewish may get elected because Jewish people would vote for
him or her based on the religion of the elected official. This elected official would, in
theory, support policies that Jewish people, including himself or herself, would support. The
elected official may, for example, vote to support Israel in foreign policy or vote to support
issues affecting Jewish people. Another example of this kind of representation is when an
elected official votes to represent the interests of the area from which the elected official
lives.
Substantive representation is when an elected official represents the
people in the district no matter what the characteristics of the elected official are. If the
people of a district want an elected official to vote for higher taxes on the rich, the official
will do that even if the elected official is wealthy. In this situation, the elected official
votes how the people want that person to vote regardless of the candidates own
characteristics.
The similarity in each case is that the people do have
representation in government determined by an elective process. If the people dont like what the
elected official is doing, they can vote that person out of office during the next election
cycle.
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