Essay 1 & 2

Essay 1:

In The Federalist paper number 10, James Madison expressed concern over the possibility that both majority and minority factions would have too much power over government, and he presented ways of minimizing that danger. The United States Constitution established a democratic government but also contained several provisions that limited majority rule. Throughout the next two centuries, the role of majority rule in the United States government and politics continued to change.

a. Identify the part of the national government that was originally most closely tied to citizens and explain how it was tied to citizens.

House of Representative was the part of the national government that was originally most closely tied to the citizens. This used to be the only federal government position that could be voted on by the people. The elected house would then directly represent the needs of the people. 

b. Explain two ways the United States constitution limited majority rule.

The Electoral College and Justice appointment are two ways the United States limited majority rule. The electoral college is the institution that elects the President and Vice President. The president is not elected by popular vote but instead, the people elect representatives that then become the electoral college. Justices are appointed by the President of the United States but must also be confirmed by the United States Senate. This process is done in a series of hearing in which the nominee and other witnesses make statements and answer questions in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

c. Choose two of the following twentieth-century developments and explain how each moved the United States from a less democratic system to a more democratic system. (you will have to research either 17th amendment or expansion of suffrage)

•       Primary elections: Primary elections have moved the United States from a less democratic system to a more democratic system because of participation from a wider electorate. The public is now allowed to choose which candidates run in the main election through primaries and caucuses. 

•       The Seventeenth Amendment: The 17th amendment put more power in the hands of the people by giving them the right to directly elect senators. Therefore, this moved the United States from a less democratic system to a more democratic system. 

Essay 2:

Citizens often choose to participate in the political process in ways other than voting.

(a)  Identify two forms of participation in the political process other than voting.

Two forms of participation in the political process, other than voting, are protest and running for office. 

(b)  Explain two advantages of each form of participation you identified in (a). 

Protesting: Gets immediate attention and gets the issue on the policy agenda

Running for office: Candidate is able to voice their own opinions and can gain support from citizens. By running for office, one can insure that their ideal issue are being covered and resolved.