7. This system provides undue power to chosen swing states.” 8. A candidate loses the popular vote but can still win the election. This is said to be undemocratic because it goes in contradiction of majority…
When James Madison outlines the dangers of faction in Federalist No. 10, he defines faction as “a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united...by some common...interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens.” 1 This wording is critical for examining both the goals and pivotal ideas of the federalist movement. At first glance, this definition seems to reflect the very real fear of mob uprising. Certainly, it’s tone insinuates an image of mob citizenry diametrically opposed to a smaller elite. However, although this image may have captured this political component of the United States in November 1787, a closer inspection yields a less controversial interpretation.…
This leaves many Americans wondering if there vote is actually vital and if our current system depicts all citizens. Although the electoral college was effective when the majority of Americans were uneducated, as the country evolves the United States needs to adopt a system of a…
The Role of the Citizen in a Constitutional Democracy Despite major conflicts and social changes, the American Constitution has offered a framework of governance for over two hundred years. The Framers of the American constitution sought to create a government free of tyrannical rule—where power derives from the consent of the governed. The US constitution outlines a form of national government that aims to serve the American people by protecting their rights and liberties. The US constitution is succinct and difficult to amend; congress has only passed twenty-seven amendments since the ratification of the constitution. In this essay, I will analyze the arguments Robert Dahl’s presents in his book “How Democratic is the American Constitution”…
In a Democracy it is important to have frequent elections where all adults have the availability to participate. Until recent history the United States had mechanism put in place where some groups of society had multiple obstacles. Mechanisms like poll tax and literacy tests were given to reduce the number of minority voters. Individuals were even disfranchised and had no capability to vote. Devices and mechanisms able to break the burden of disfranchisement had first began in 1965 when a group of peaceful marchers traveled to Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery to push and promote legislation for the creation of new voting rights legislation.…
One main pro of the electoral college, said by defenders of the system, is that it is, “a healthier constitutional form that values the capacity to carry numerous,” political ideals across the nation. Secondly, the electoral college system, “[requires] candidates to assemble multistate and multi regional coalitions rather than focusing,” on large states and urban communities. In a direct election, the largest concentration of voters would be in the large states and in dense metropolitan areas. One main con of the electoral college is that though the small states are overrepresented due to, “the senatorial bump, some persuasive legitimating principle other than the fact that the framers endorsed the idea,” should continue to exist today, but does not (Rakove). According to Gallup Poll in 2011, 62% of americans preferred a popular vote system for electing the president, while “barely a third, 35%, say they would keep the electoral college” (Inc).…
Electoral College Vs. National Popular Vote The recent 2016 presidential election, has caused the population to question the electoral college, more than it ever has before. Those who disagree with the electoral college have propelled the National Popular Vote (NPV), a movement that started in 1969.…
For hundreds of years, we have used the electoral vote rather than the popular vote when we have had to select a president and vice president. In this essay, we will be examining the structure and function of the Electoral College, comparing the Electoral College to the popular vote and assessing the value of the individual citizen’s vote under the Electoral College system. The Electoral College was created in 1787. The reason, the Electoral College was created, was to give the power of electing a president to the states and not to the people themselves.…
Marisa Olson Currie American National Government November 15, 2015 Should the Electoral College Be Reformed or Abolished? The Electoral College is a part of our political system in our country. To fully understanding what it does, the way it’s changed, and also the problems it contributes to is difficult. In this essay I will be addressing the argument, should the electoral college be formed or should it be abolished?…
Today in America, our youth are taught that the right to vote it one of the most important rights we have. It can help us shape our future as a country. But what if this cherished belief weren’t true? There are those that argue that a single a single person’s vote cannot make a difference. But are they right?…
Since its humble beginnings the United States has always swore to be the perfect example of democracy to all the other countries of the world. The power of democracy comes from the people who each get to have a say in government affairs. In order to protect these rights elections are held. However these elections are not always fair. History shows that there are problems in our voting process, these problems have at times made it difficult for democratic or republican candidates to win the presidency.…
In recent years, the Electoral College has raised eyebrows and made some question the integrity of the institution itself. Critics argue that the Electoral College is “undemocratic” and “unfair” (Goldstein, 1996). Others argue that abolishing the Electoral College would “undermine [the] important principles of American democracy” (Goldstein, 1996). But what exactly is the Electoral College and how does it work? In this essay, I will explain what the Electoral College is and how it came to be.…
Vega 1 Breanna Vega Professor Olmos English 101 23 April 2016 Citizens Rule Democracy is known to be a strong form of government, because it gives full power to the people of the nation. Many argue about how a democracy works, but do not understand it includes difficult tasks for it to be successful. In Cornel West’s reading, “The Deep Democratic Tradition in America,” the idea of a strong democracy is by the people, but the promise of a democracy has failed. In order to keep the promise of strong democracy individual practices such as voting rights, the principle of protection, and the representation of each individual must be practiced under no circumstances.…
Every four years, citizens of the United States of America choose their next president based off a unique system known as the electoral college. The way that this system works is interesting and is confused easily in the general public. In early November, when citizens go to the polls, they are not voting for the president directly, rather they are voting for their individual states to cast its electoral votes towards a certain presidential candidate. In the forty-eight of the fifty states where voting takes place, all the electoral votes go to the presidential candidate who wins the majority in their state. No matter how large or small the majority is, the presidential candidate gets all the votes.…
AV eliminates discrimination, makes votes worthy, and improves government functioning. Therefore, this essay analyzes the problems with FPTP with statistical evidence from past elections of the United Kingdom, and proposes Alternative Vote as…