Topic > The Electoral College Should Be Abolished Dbq

IndexHistorical ContextThe Structure of the Electoral CollegeCriticism of the Electoral CollegeArguments in favor of the Electoral CollegeConclusionThe Electoral College has been a topic of debate for many years, with critics arguing that it is an outdated and undemocratic Electoral College which should be abolished. On the other hand, supporters of the Electoral College argue that it serves an important purpose in preserving the balance of power among states and ensuring that smaller states have a voice in the presidential election process. This essay will critically analyze the arguments for and against the abolition of the Electoral College and ultimately argue in favor of its abolition. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Historical Context To fully understand the debate surrounding the electoral college, it is critical to examine its origins and historical context. The Electoral College was established by the framers of the United States Constitution in 1787 as a compromise between those who wanted the president to be elected by Congress and those who wanted a direct popular vote. This compromise was necessary to ensure the support of both large and small states in ratifying the Constitution. The structure of the Electoral College The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors, with each state assigned a number of electors equal to its representation in Congress. The candidate who obtains the majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) becomes president. This "winner-takes-all" system, in which the candidate who receives the most popular votes in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes, has come under criticism. Criticism of the Electoral College One of the main arguments against the Electoral College is that it can lead to the election of a president who did not win the popular vote. This has happened five times in American history, most recently in the 2016 election. Critics argue that this undermines the principle of majority rule and can lead to a lack of legitimacy for the president. Furthermore, the Electoral College gives disproportionate power to smaller states. Thanks to the winner-takes-all system, a candidate can win the presidency by focusing on a few key states and ignoring the rest of the country. This can cause the problems and concerns of smaller states to be overlooked in favor of those of larger states. Additionally, the electoral college discourages voter turnout. In states that are consistently red or blue, voters may feel that their vote does not matter and choose not to participate in the election. This has the potential to distort the will of the people and undermine the democratic process. Arguments for the Electoral College Supporters of the Electoral College argue that it serves as a safeguard against the tyranny of the majority. They argue that a direct popular vote could lead to the election of a president who appeals to only a few populous states, neglecting the interests and concerns of less populous states. The Electoral College ensures that candidates must have broad geographic support to win the presidency. Additionally, the Electoral College helps maintain the balance of power between states. It prevents larger states from dominating the electoral process and ensures that smaller states have a say. This is especially important in a federal system like that of the United States, where states have significant autonomy and their interests should be protected. Conclusion While the electoral college may have served its purpose in..