Election promises and reality
Modern parliamentary democracy is based on the assumption that the people are the bearers of sovereignty. In theory, this mechanism works elegantly and thoughtfully: citizens delegate their political power to elected representatives in regular, free and direct elections. Parliament is thus supposed to act as a reflection of the entire social spectrum – as a microcosm in which the public will is co-formed through representatives of various interest groups, classes and ideologies. Through the adoption of laws and supervision of the executive branch of power, parliament is supposed to directly influence the everyday life of an individual. Elections in this system are not just a formal act of casting a vote, but a key moment when citizens choose between different visions of the future – from tax policy and the healthcare system to education and infrastructure. The dictatorship of the majority and the problem of legitimacy However, the parliamentary system already ca...