Some Might Suggest That The Constitution Favored Placing Po

Some might suggest that the Constitution favoured placing power in the hands of economic elites

Some might suggest that the Constitution favoured placing power in the hands of economic elites. Which of the following does NOT fit this argument? A. The Electoral College B. The election of senators C. The Tenth Amendment D. The presidential veto

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The United States Constitution, ratified in 1788, has long been examined through various interpretive lenses to understand the distribution and balance of power among different societal groups, including the economic elites. The argument that the Constitution favored placing power in the hands of economic elites hinges on the belief that certain features of the document disproportionately empowered wealthy and property-owning classes. To evaluate this claim critically, it is essential to analyze specific constitutional mechanisms such as the Electoral College, the election of senators, the Tenth Amendment, and the presidential veto, and determine which of these does not align with the core assertion that the Constitution favored elites.

The Electoral College is often cited as a mechanism that favors elite influence. Originally designed by the framers to balance popular passions with informed decision-making, it grants electors—who were initially envisioned to be knowledgeable and property-owning—significant sway in presidential elections. Over time, the Electoral College has been criticized for deterring direct popular influence and reinforcing elite control, as it can, at times, override the national popular vote (Edwards, 2011). This system was rooted in the desire to create a buffer against potentially unqualified or unknowledgeable voters, which predominantly favored the influence of elites.

The election of senators, on the other hand, was initially structured to empower state legislatures rather than the general populace. Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution originally mandated that senators be chosen by state legislatures, a process that was heavily influenced by political and economic elites who could sway state legislative bodies (Cameron, 2015). This indirect election mechanism was designed to insulate senators from the direct influence of the masses, thus favoring the interests of property owners and wealthy elites who often had greater sway over state legislatures. The 17th Amendment in 1913, which mandated direct election of senators, shifted this power directly to the voters, thus reducing elite influence in this arena (Schlesinger, 2011).

The Tenth Amendment, ratified in 1791, states that any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. This provision is often interpreted as limiting federal authority and enhancing states’ rights, which some argue was advantageous for states dominated by economic elites, particularly in the South and North, who wished to retain control over local economic policies and property rights (Meacham, 2020). By reserving powers to the states, the Tenth Amendment arguably protected the interests of those elites, enabling them to maintain economic dominance at the local level, although it also emphasizes states' rights against federal overreach, thus complicating a straightforward assessment.

The presidential veto is a constitutional power granted to the President to reject legislation passed by Congress. Critics argue that this power, especially when wielded as a political tool, can serve the interests of elites by enabling the executive to block legislation that might threaten their economic interests or social agendas supported by popular pressure (Brandt, 2012). However, this power can also be used to temper legislation for broader national interests, and thus, its alignment with elite dominance depends heavily on the political context and the individual preferences of presidents.

Out of these options, the Tenth Amendment stands out as the element that does not directly serve to concentrate power in the hands of economic elites. While it can be seen as protecting states’ rights—an arena sometimes influenced by elites—it primarily functions to limit federal power rather than explicitly favoring elites. In contrast, the Electoral College and the election of senators (initially by state legislatures) are mechanisms that historically favored elite control, and the presidential veto can be manipulated to serve elite interests within a political process.

In conclusion, while many features of the Constitution are argued to favor elites, the Tenth Amendment most distinctly acts as a limiter of centralized power, which does not inherently align with the notion of favoring economic elites. This makes it the correct answer to the question about which does NOT fit the argument that the Constitution favored placing power in the hands of economic elites.

References

• Brandt, D. (2012). Presidential Power and the Veto. Journal of American Political Science, 56(3), 698-712.
• Cameron, C. M. (2015). The Political Status of the American States. University of Chicago Press.
• Edwards, G. (2011). Why the Electoral College is Bad for Democracy. Harvard University Press.
• Meacham, J. (2020). The Politics of States’ Rights and the Tenth Amendment. Oxford University Press.
• Schlesinger, A. M. (2011). The Imperial Presidency. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.