Politico

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

Elected representatives must make political decisions about how to vote. A delegate is a politician who casts a vote to closely follow the will of their constituents. A trustee is a politician who casts their vote closely following their own personal judgement. A politico is a politician who sometimes plays the role of delegate - for example, when the constituents feel strongly about an issue; and other times plays the role of trustee - for example, when public opinion is muted. A politician who combines these two approaches to representing their constituents, depending upon the political circumstance, is known as a politico.

Example

 
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Questions

  1. What is the main difference between the delegate, trustee, and politico model of representation?

  2. List a politician who strongly follows the delegate, trustee, or politico model of representation:

  3. If you were a politician would you be more likely to follow the delegate, trustee, or politico model of representation?

  4. And how would you decide?

  5. Of the delegate, trustee, or politico model of representation, which is the most democratic?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw politico. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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