Functions of elections in democratic system

Waldemar Wojtasik

Published: 2013-01-01

No. 4 (2013)

Functions of elections in democratic system

Waldemar Wojtasik

Abstract

Elections are a procedure typical for democratic systems, but also sys- tems which do not respect the principles of democracy often employ them. However, due to their different functional positioning, they fulfill various func- tions. The presented text is an attempt to present the most important functions performed by the elections in democratic systems. The adopted model of ge- neralization has allowed for separation of seven basic functions, present in all elections: delegation of political representation; selection of the political elite; legitimisation of those in power; control over authorities; political accountabi- lity; creation of political programmes; recreation of public opinion image. The presented typology allows for its use both in different types of elec- tions (parliamentary, presidential, local, regional and European Parliament) as well as in relation to different electoral systems. The general nature of the de- scribed types of functions allows the separation of specific categories within its framework, but the objective of the present study has determined that the focus remains on the description and analysis of the presented types.

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Wojtasik, W. (2013). Functions of elections in democratic system. Political Preferences, (4). Retrieved from https://journals.us.edu.pl/index.php/PP/article/view/4181

No. 4 (2013)
Published: 2013-01-01

eISSN: 2449-9064

10.31261/polpre

Publisher

Centrum Innowacji, Transferu Technologii i Rozwoju Fundacja Uniwersytetu Śląskiego

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Functions of elections in democratic system

Abstract

Waldemar Wojtasik

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