Universal Adult Franchise
Universal Adult Franchise and The Methods of Representation
MODULE - 4
Democracy at Work
17
UNIVERSAL ADULT FRANCHISE AND THE METHODS OF REPRESENTATION
Notes
have studied opening of the to the I n an earlier lesson, youthe people of that the What dowords wordsPreambleThese Indian Constitution are: “We, India”. these signify? words mean that the ultimate authority resides in the people themselves. People exercise authority through the representatives elected by them. These representatives conduct the functions of the government in accordance with the wishes of the people. People govern themselves through their elected representatives. In a country which is vast and has a large population, the establishment of direct democracy is an impossible task, except in some cases at the local level of governance. That is why all modern democracies have representative governments, that is governments elected by the people. In these democracies all adults have the right to elect their representatives. The right to vote is called franchise, or suffrage.
Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to comprehend the meaning of universal adult franchise; explain the significance of universal adult franchise; recall that the minimum age for the right to vote differs from country to country; recall that in India minimum voting age is 18 years; identify the various methods of representation.
17.1 Meaning and Significance of Adult Franchise
The right of the people to vote and elect their representatives is called franchise. The word franchise is derived from the French word ‘franc’ which means ‘free’. It means
189
MODULE - 4
Democracy at Work
Political Science free exercise of the right to choose one’s representatives. Adult franchise means that the right to vote should be given to all adult citizens without the discrimination of caste, class, colour, religion or sex.
Notes
People standing in queue for casting their vote
It is based on equality which is a basic
MODULE - 4
Democracy at Work
17
UNIVERSAL ADULT FRANCHISE AND THE METHODS OF REPRESENTATION
Notes
have studied opening of the to the I n an earlier lesson, youthe people of that the What dowords wordsPreambleThese Indian Constitution are: “We, India”. these signify? words mean that the ultimate authority resides in the people themselves. People exercise authority through the representatives elected by them. These representatives conduct the functions of the government in accordance with the wishes of the people. People govern themselves through their elected representatives. In a country which is vast and has a large population, the establishment of direct democracy is an impossible task, except in some cases at the local level of governance. That is why all modern democracies have representative governments, that is governments elected by the people. In these democracies all adults have the right to elect their representatives. The right to vote is called franchise, or suffrage.
Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to comprehend the meaning of universal adult franchise; explain the significance of universal adult franchise; recall that the minimum age for the right to vote differs from country to country; recall that in India minimum voting age is 18 years; identify the various methods of representation.
17.1 Meaning and Significance of Adult Franchise
The right of the people to vote and elect their representatives is called franchise. The word franchise is derived from the French word ‘franc’ which means ‘free’. It means
189
MODULE - 4
Democracy at Work
Political Science free exercise of the right to choose one’s representatives. Adult franchise means that the right to vote should be given to all adult citizens without the discrimination of caste, class, colour, religion or sex.
Notes
People standing in queue for casting their vote
It is based on equality which is a basic