The Electoral College

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the history of the electoral college which was devised not only to reflect American federalism but also to give disproportionate power to small states and reduce the power of popular democracy. The writer of this paper details the Bush - Gore election in which George W. Bush became the first presidential candidate to lose the popular vote but win the electoral college vote since Benjamin Harrison defeated incumbent president, Grover Cleveland, in the same manner in 1888. Predictably, there was a strong reaction to the election result from critics of the electoral college, with Senator Hillary Clinton, among others, seeking its abolition. Yet, at the same time, there are many who continue to defend the electoral college. This paper examines whether the electoral college is still a viable way to elect presidents in the 21st century, the circumstances under which the system was established, how the system works now and what sort of changes have occurred since its inception. The writer of this paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college as well as alternatives needs which need to be examined to improve upon this election system.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Establishment of the Electoral College
How it Works
How it Has Changed
Arguments for Retaining the Electoral College
Arguments for the Abolition of the Electoral College
Conclusion
Bibliography
Newspapers
Journals and Periodicals
Books

From the Paper:

"The central issue for most opponents of the electoral college is their belief that it is undemocratic. League of Women Voters president Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins commented after the last presidential election: "The electoral college, a curious vestige of the 18th century, violates the principle of one-person, one-vote. The time has come to abolish it." This view argues that the electoral college is a relic of an 18th century electoral system, representing a viewpoint that the public cannot be wholly trusted and that an elite group of individuals who "really know best," can. It is argued that this system has well and truly become an anachronism. Democracy, with full participation by the governed, may not be a perfect system and may be at times messy, however, there is no better way to legitimize the process and validate its results."

More papers on The Electoral College:

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• Argumentative Essay # 2480 : "The Electoral College: Is it a Keeper?"

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