According to the 6th edition of keeping the Republic, the Essentials by Christine Barbour and Gerald C. Wright, representation is regarded as the ambition of elected officials to push for the interests of those who elected them. Evidently, understanding the representation as to be reflective of the voter’s opinion, it became intriguing to see how the Commissioners would respond to the topics or matters put before them for trial. During the course of four hours, I found myself favoring one particular commissioner over the rest as she repeatedly represented the voices of the audience or constituency of San Jose present, rather than just her own. Ultimately, Commissioner Hope Cohen is successful as a commissioner since she practices representing the citizens of San Jose repeatedly, as she would ponder prior to answering any questions or making any decision on a given topic. Cohan would pause, look out at the audience, collectively accumulate her thoughts together with the influence of the people and then reach her resolution. In comparison, the other commissioners seemed ineffective, as they did not try to relate or interact with the concerns being voiced out loud by the people like Cohan did do efficiently. Cohan acted in a way that addressed the voter’s own initial thoughts and concerns, especially to those within the audience this particular night as evident through her actions. This was well received by the audience, allowing her to clearly represent those whom placed her in office in the first place. Such a concept as representation is crucial when attending civic events such as the Planning Commission because it is here that one can witness whether or not the commissioners voted by the people are actually representing the people successfully. Within class, we discussed how it is important to vote for candidates that share similar opinions or values as our own because it is these kinds of people that we want to have represent us in office, someone whose priorities align with ours. When vocal, Cohan often discussed the public opinion voiced at the podium and used it when making her argument, fairly demonstrating how a commissioner should analyze the constituency’s opinion and incorporate it within his/her decision making process. Within the textbook, representation works similarly as the member of congress, or in this case the Commission, is to look out for the common interests of a given population, San Jose in this situation, and see that the will is carried out. (Barbour, Wright) This goal was evident through commissioners like Cohan as their notions primarily were based off of what seemed to be the rational decision for the citizens of San Jose. Ultimately, representation was evident during the Planning Commission’s decision-making for San Jose as it was used to efficiently reflect the opinions of the constituency.
In addition, a pluralistic approach was apparent within the ways the Planning Commission was influenced by the attendance of a minority group. Within the text, a pluralist democracy refers to a kind of democracy that holds a grouping of citizen membership to be a crucial component in gaining political power. (Barbour, Wright) The point stressed within the text book for a pluralist democracy is that individual participation in not as influential as individuals coming together to form interest groups in pursuit of motivating the government to push for the group’s goal. During the Planning Commission, the small interest group of “Rocket Ship” attended the public hearing to show support and push for the establishment of the “Rocket Ship School” to be carried out. In the crowd, members of “Rocket Ship” gathered together in matching purple shirts, to highlight their attendance and participation as a group. Within the group were mothers of the neighborhood surrounding the proposed location for the “Rocket Ship” school to provide further attention from the commissioners. With their attendance, the group was able to provide a sense of urgency to the commission to establish such a school as the “Rocket Ship” school as it is very much needed within the neighborhood. The members of the “Rocket Ship” group each made the effort to go up to the podium to emphasize their group’s goal to the Planning commission. Evidently, through the various speeches made by the members, including parents and the “Rocket Ship” establishers, the “Rocket Ship” interest group was successful in their goal. With the group participating as a whole, overwhelming the commissioners with pleads and recommendations for the school’s establishment, the commissioners saw no opposition for the school to not go in. Therefore, the commissioners responded in their favor, as the group had reflected the principle of a pluralist government; individuals joining forces to push for the establishment of the “Rocket Ship School.” By doing so, “Rocket Ship” was able to bring more political power to their interest group’s goal from government, causing pluralism to be a method that is beneficial to the interest group. However, as we know from Lecture 2’s power point, pluralism or pluralist democracies are not always given a good reputation, as groups usually allow for people to be anywhere from overly educated to minimally educated of the cause of their group. However, people could argue that an interest group, such as “Rocket Ship,” actually becomes much more noticeable to the government or commissioners through the attention a group brings. Especially, with the overwhelming participation from the “Rocket Ship” group, regardless of the stereotypes we learned about pluralist groups. Within the lecture we discussed that many times those within pluralist groups often gain all their information about the given topic only by group participation. With this information, it is likely that those within these groups are only receiving bias information. Therefore without participating, members do not acquire any insight of the goal or cause, leaving room for inconsistency and biased opinions. Within the “Rocket Ship” School interest group, I was very spectacular as to whether or not the parents of the neighborhood were force fed their information but the group or they simply all shared the same exact views of the school. Through out the event, it was prevalent that with pluralism, interest groups do have a higher success rate as they use their numbers and support to allude to the great need for their goal, “Rocket Ship” School.
In correspondence with these concepts, symbolism played a role in the set up of the Planning Commission. Within the San Jose City Hall symbols such as banners, acronyms, pictures, flags, and mottos were present. These symbols, like the American flag, were present as a reminder to the public and the Commissioners the country in which they all aspired to serve equally and fairly. Prior to dealing with matters within the agenda, the Commissioners used the flag to pledge the alliance to the United States as another way to reiterate the country in which they all aim to serve in the most suitable manner. Within class, we discussed how symbols are implemented not just spontaneously but purposely. Within the Supreme Court, we see the example of the uniform or apparel chosen for the members of the Supreme Court to wear. Though when analyzing the attire they wear, it seems very much puritan and outdated. This is used as a way to project superiority amongst those before the Supreme Court as well as to distinguish the dominance they have over the people; although they are to rule for the people. As we had discussed in class, the reasoning behind these symbols may seem trivial when analyzed; yet these symbols continue to be a part of the way the judicial system is carried out in America. At the Planning Commission, the commissioners sat higher up in stands before the public podium, reinstating this hierarchy that the commissioners have over the people. Furthermore, such symbols like the pledge of alliance or the manner of seating within a facility are used to unify while also separate the people and the government. It is through symbolism, the Planning Commission is able to retain power as superior to those in which are presented before as discussed in class.
Within the Planning Commission I attended, the concepts of representation, pluralism, and symbolism are clearly apparent as they make up the judicial system within our country. As a nation, we as people have responsibility to vote so that we can improve the way our government runs. Those like the Commissioners of San Jose may have superiority over us, yet in reality we are the ones who provide them with such power in office. For this reason, we must understand the principle of representation and help vote people into office that will exemplify our needs as the people. Consequently, it is important to also acknowledge the power we as individuals have when in interest groups due to the concept of pluralism. Minorities, though may be small, the power they can gain is impactful when moving towards a goal together. Interest groups usually rally up together in a way that provides attention to their cause. Like the Commissioners of San Jose, the government does not undermine the strength of an interest group. Furthermore, symbolism within government also provides hope to the people for a nation united, although it may be trivial. With symbolism, the government is able to maintain a mutual understanding between them and the people to push forward together with their lead. Evidently, through my experience at the San Jose Planning Commission, these concepts of representation, pluralism and symbolism became relevant to me. These concepts drive the way government functions, therefore are vital to understand regardless if we conquer with manner in which things are done. Without these concepts going into play of our government, the United States of America would not be operating the same way it is today.
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