Reference no: EM133832587

Assignment:

As you will read this week, James Madison argued in Federalist #10 that it was imperative to "control the effects" of the potential dangers posed by "majority factions." Madison feared that popular majorities might trample on the rights of the minority, especially property rights. Accordingly, the U.S. Constitution was designed to limit the power of popular majorities, and a careful reading of the document reveals the various institutional arrangements and legal guarantees that serve to accomplish this goal. You should be able to identify at least a half dozen or more ways in which the Constitution places obstacles in the way of numerical majorities.

1) How does the electoral college pose an obstacle to majority rule?

2) Which voters are advantaged and disadvantaged by the structure of the Senate? (2 senators per state regardless of population)

3) How has the appointment of three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court in the past four years helped to consolidate the power of a minority of Americans?

4) What changes would need to be made to the Constitution to limit the "tyranny of the minority"? Do you favor these changes? Do you think they are likely to happen? Why or why not?

5) Do you think the Democrats in the Senate should eliminate the filibuster? Why or why not?

6) Do you think the House of Representatives will be able to avoid a government shutdown next week? Why or why not?