Representative: The Elected Path

Abstract

Contrasting elected leaders, those voted into position as representatives of others, with other paths may be novel for many of our readers. There are important differences for Representatives (We use the “Representative” label in the generic sense of the word, as it applies to many titles of elected leaders) largely emanating from their status as the “entity” who embodies the power of the position, allowing opportunity to leverage their vision and resources to connect with constituents according to the needs and interests of all parties. This comes with potential challenges that are in some ways akin to celebrity status, including public visibility, demanding expectations, and busy schedules. Other challenges vary by the particular administrative system, such as election cycle, term limits, and demands attached to party hierarchy.