Improving Government Responsiveness to Public Opinion

In the majoritarian model of democracy, the government is made responsive to public opinion through political parties according to the model of responsible party government by addressing the following issues (Janda, Berry, & Goldman, 1995): (1) Parties should present clear and coherent programs to voters; (2) Voters should choose candidates on the basis of party programs; (3) The winning party should carry out its program in office; (4) Voters should hold the governing party responsible at the next election for executing its program.

Examining how well an American political party meets the above tests of responsible party government yields a mixed review. When candidates are running for office, programs are presented to voters in a clear fashion. However, voters often choose the candidate based on some personal characteristics instead of solely upon the programs supported by that candidate’s party. When elected to power, American political parties do tend to shape government policy according to their party platforms.

What party should be held accountable as being in power if the Democratic Party controls the House of Representatives, the Republican Party controls the Senate and a Republican President sits in the Oval Office? Some evidence suggests that many voters purposely split the ticket between the presidential, congressional and senatorial candidates, so is majoritarianism still served in such as case? No, the American model of democracy is more pluralist than majoritarian, because it does not completely meet the tests of responsible party government.

Several reforms could be enacted to bring America’s two political parties closer to responsible party government. First, at the present time, campaigns are highly-personalized to the candidates being elected and conducted outside the control of party organizations. To improve the majoritarian nature of American democracy, the connections between candidates and voters needs to be strengthened during the process of campaigns and elections. Second, party identification has weakened over the years. A strengthening of the value and importance of party membership between elections could improve the link between voters, parties, and candidates. Third, the tie between candidate and party is loosely defined at the national level and almost non-existent for the Senate and House elections. Candidates for national office could relate their positions to national party platforms more clearly. Finally, national party leadership could take a more active role in helping local candidates who are affiliated with the party get elected.

These are but a few of the ways that the responsible party model of government and the majoritarian nature of our democracy could be improved.

Reference

Janda, K., Berry, J.M., & Goldman, J. (1995) The challenge of democracy: Government in America, (4th Ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.