Do the Results of Elections Represent the Will of the People?

Abstract

This research paper explores the evolving concept of the "will of the people" in modern democracies and assesses the limitations of electoral democracy in representing this fluid will. Drawing on the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the author argues that the traditional view of the general will, which assumes homogeneity and a single common good, is no longer applicable in heterogeneous and diverse societies. Instead, the author proposes a new measure for the will of the people that acknowledges its fluidity and non-closure. The paper reconciles with the challenges of electoral democracy, including the presence of career politicians, citizen disengagement, and corporate capture, which hamper its ability to effectively represent the will of the people. In response to these limitations, the paper proposes sortition as an alternative approach to governance that promotes citizen engagement, diversity of representation, and responsiveness to the changing wills of the population. By embracing sortition and reimagining the role of elections, democracies can strive for a more representative and responsive democratic system that truly reflects the will of the people.