Representation is the essence of a democratic system of government as it provides all citizens with equal rights in appointing their representative. The feeling of being represented in the government provides the citizens with a source of political trust. Representation gives citizens an opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns on different issues affecting them and their society. Representation allows citizens to influence the process of decision-making that shapes the development and the applications of public policy, whether through individual participation or through elected representatives acting in citizen’s interest.
Democracy is designed to provide equality and liberty to all citizens and representation is an essential facet. Representation provides equal opportunity to all citizens to elect their representatives, but it cannot assure that the elected representative would help in providing higher quality of democracy. There have been evidences of elected representatives failing to provide the advantages of democracy to its citizens all over the world. For example: liberal democracy is considered the greatest export of the United States of America, but the representatives elected under democracy such as President Bush and Obama have failed to provide higher quality of democracy due to their non-liberal actions such as approving government surveillance on American citizens, assassination of American citizens, warrantless searches, etc. (Turley, 2012).
The application of Greek democracy in the present government would mean that there would be three divisions of government: the Council, the Assembly, and the Courts. Citizens would get to enjoy equal rights, separation of powers, and political accountability. While in these ways the Greek democracy is similar to the present democratic governments, there are some ways that make it different. There would be negative consequences like slavery would be acceptable and women would lose their right to vote. Also, not all residents of the country would be citizens and have right to vote and would lose their representation.
Reference
Turley., J. (2012, 13 January). 10 reasons the U.S. is no longer the land of the free. Retrieved 9 January 2017 from, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/is-the-united-states-still-the-land-of-the-free/2012/01/04/gIQAvcD1wP_story.html?utm_term=.268fc2abad61
