ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses three models of political representation: the mandate model; the populist model; and the conscience model. In most countries, the relationship between legislature and citizenry is a mix of these models, though nowadays most Western countries lean most towards the mandate model. The chapter then discusses the ways to build representative and effective political parties. The importance of having well-organized political parties is illustrated by the victory of the fundamentalist Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), a movement dedicated to the cessation of future elections, in the suspended late 1990s Algerian election. The task for many countries is to transform embryonic political parties into modern democratic political organizations. Only well-organized political parties can bring together, and make effective, what would otherwise be many amorphous, though like-minded, citizens. The chapter further examines direct democracy, which some have suggested as one means to enhance the voice of the people in between elections.
