The Case Against The Electoral College System ✓ Solved
The Case Against Electoral College System
The Electoral College system has been operational for more than three centuries as the means by which Americans elect leaders in office. The system should be abolished as the historical context that warranted its creation is no longer there, it does not reflect the will of the people, and suggests that some states are more powerful than others.
The contextual justification for the creation of the systems is either not present or relevant. Prior to the system’s establishment, America had an electorate that was not intelligent enough and would not be entrusted to make decisions on the choice of leaders (Cox, 2018). However, the current citizens are now well-informed to make prudent electoral decisions without direction by enlightened statesmen.
Secondly, the current electoral system gives more power to some states and allows few of them to decide the presidential election (Cox, 2018). People who reside in less populated states such as Idaho have less electoral power than those in populous states such as California or Texas. This circumstance creates power imbalance and creates the ‘lesser state’ mentality in the country. Additionally, the Electoral College does not respect the simple principle of the majority having their way.
The failure to consider the power of the majority of citizens delegitimizes the elected leaders and, in a way, abuses the political power of Americans (Edwards III, 2019). In conclusion, the existing criteria for electing leaders in America has been overtaken by events and cannot help citizens elect the leader of their choice in the current political context. On the account of its failure, it should be replaced with a system that respects the will of the majority and consequently accords each American equal right to making political decisions.
Paper For Above Instructions
The Electoral College system, established in the United States Constitution in 1787, was a compromise to balance the influence of populous states against less populous ones in presidential elections. However, its relevance has diminished over time, and today, it often undermines the democratic principle of one person, one vote. This paper argues for the abolition of the Electoral College based on three main reasons: the historical context for its establishment is no longer applicable, it distorts the democratic process by enhancing the power of some states over others, and it largely disregards the collective will of the American electorate.
The Historical Context is No Longer Applicable
The Electoral College was created in a time when the general populace was perceived as ill-equipped to make informed electoral choices. Founding fathers like Alexander Hamilton believed in an enlightened body of electors who would balance the passions of the masses (Cox, 2018). Today, Americans are more educated and informed about political issues than ever before. With access to information at their fingertips, citizens can effectively participate in the electoral process without the need for intermediaries. Thus, the original justification for the Electoral College is outdated and irrelevant in modern society.
Imbalance of Power Among States
One of the most significant flaws of the Electoral College is its unequal distribution of electoral votes, which substantially amplifies the influence of less populous states in presidential elections. For instance, a voter in Wyoming has significantly more electoral power compared to a voter in California due to the disproportionate allocation of electoral votes relative to population size (Edwards III, 2019). This leads to a system where candidates are incentivized to focus their campaigns on swing states rather than engaging with the electorate as a whole. The inherent power imbalance can create divisions and perpetuate the feeling of disenfranchisement among voters from larger states.
Ignoring the Will of the People
Perhaps the most critical argument against the Electoral College is its neglect of the popular vote. There have been instances in U.S. history where candidates won the presidency without winning the majority of the popular vote, most notably in the elections of 2000 and 2016. This phenomenon occurs because the Electoral College awards all of a state's electoral votes to the candidate who wins the plurality of the popular vote in that state, effectively disregarding the votes of many citizens (Cox, 2018). The principle that "the majority should have their say" is essential to a functioning democracy, and the Electoral College directly contradicts that principle.
Conclusion
Given the evident shortcomings and inconsistencies of the Electoral College, it is imperative for the United States to reconsider this antiquated system. The historical rationale for its creation is obsolete, the current electoral power dynamics create inequities among states, and it fundamentally undermines the principle of majority rule. A move toward a more democratic process, such as a direct popular vote, could promote greater engagement, unity, and fairness in American elections. The time has come for the United States to abolish the Electoral College and adopt a system that truly reflects the will of the people.
References
- Edwards III, G. C. (2019). The Faulty Premises of the Electoral College. Retrieved from [source]
- Cox, A. M. (2018). The Electoral College: A Constitutional Needle in a Political Hay Stack. Int'l J. Soc. Sci. Stud., 6, 94. Retrieved from [source]
- Constitution of the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved from National Archives
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