FUNCTIONS OF ELECTIONS IN DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS

Elections are a procedure typical for democratic systems, but also sys-tems which do not respect the principles of democracy often employ them. +RZHYHUGXHWRWKHLUGLIIHUHQWIXQFWLRQDOSRVLWLRQLQJWKH\IXO¿OOYDULRXVIXQF-tions. The presented text is an attempt to present the most important functions performed by the elections in democratic systems. The adopted model of ge-neralization has allowed for separation of seven basic functions, present in all elections: delegation of political representation; selection of the political elite; legitimisation of those in power; control over authorities; political accountabi-lity; creation of political programmes; recreation of public opinion image. The presented typology allows for its use both in different types of elec-tions (parliamentary, presidential, local, regional and European Parliament) as well as in relation to different electoral systems. The general natur