{{Short description|Model of representative democracy; emphasizes autonomy of elected officials}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2011}}
The '''trustee model of representation''' is a model of a [[representative democracy]], frequently contrasted with the [[delegate model of representation]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Dovi |first=Suzanne |title=Political Representation |date=2018 |encyclopedia=The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy |editor-last=Zalta |editor-first=Edward N. |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/political-representation/#DelVsTru |access-date=2024-09-09 |edition=Fall 2018 |publisher=Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University}}</ref> In this model, [[Electoral district|constituents]] elect their representatives as '[[trustees]]' for their [[constituency]]. These 'trustees' have [[Wiktionary:autonomy|autonomy]] to deliberate and act as they see fit, in their own conscience even if it means going against the explicit desires of their constituents. By contrast, in the delegate model, the representative is expected to act strictly in accordance with the beliefs of their constituents.<ref name="helen_aaten_1">{{cite book|author=Bohn|date=1854|title=The works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke|oclc=6368148 }}</ref><ref name="yale_1">{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Justin |last2=Shotts |first2=Kenneth W. |date=July 23, 2007 |title=Delegates or Trustees? A Theory of Political Accountability |url=https://leitner.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/resources/docs/delegates.pdf |accessdate=2011-01-17}}</ref>

==History==
This model was formulated by [[Edmund Burke]]<ref name="helen_aaten_1" /> (1729–1797), an Irish MP and philosopher, who opposed the delegate model of representation. In the trustee model, Burke argued that his behavior in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] should be informed by his knowledge and experience, allowing him to serve the [[public interest]]. Essentially, a trustee considers an issue and, after hearing all sides of the debate, exercises their own judgment in making decisions about what should be done.

<blockquote>
His unbiased opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. ... Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

You choose a member, indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not a member of Bristol, but he is a member of Parliament. (Burke, 1774)
</blockquote>

He made these statements immediately after being elected, and after his colleague had spoken in favour of coercive instructions being given to representatives.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} Burke [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|conscientiously objected]] to slavery,<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Collins |first1=Gregory M. |year=2019 |title=Edmund Burke on slavery and the slave trade |journal=Slavery & Abolition |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=494–521 |doi=10.1080/0144039X.2019.1597501 |issn=0144-039X |s2cid=150733637}}</ref>{{Rp|page=6}} but needed to balance this against [[Bristol slave trade|his electors' slave trade business]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=|pages=8-9}} This played a minor role in decreasing support for reelecting him in Bristol, forcing him to run in Malton,<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=9}} which did not benefit from the slave trade.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=19}}

[[John Stuart Mill]] preferred intelligent representatives.<ref name="yale_1" />{{Rp|page=1}} He stated that while all individuals have a right to be represented, not all political opinions are of equal value. He suggested a model where constituents would receive votes that increase based on each level of education past simple literacy and math.<ref>{{Citation |last=Macleod |first=Christopher |title=John Stuart Mill |date=2020 |encyclopedia=The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy |editor-last=Zalta |editor-first=Edward N. |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mill/#AuthDemo |access-date=2024-09-09 |edition=Summer 2020 |publisher=Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*Burke, Edmund. '''1774'''. ''Speech to the electors of Bristol'' in The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke. Vol. II. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press (1906).

==See also==
*[[Delegate model of representation]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Democracy]]