The creation of the United States is considered by many to be a great experiment in democracy. After the War of 1812, America was filled with tremendous nationalism and as the young country grew, many nations look to it as both an inspiration and a warning. Americans seemed united behind their president James Monroe, who was elected in 1816 and then ran uncontested for his second term in 1820. However, even during this time there were many discussions and arguments within the nation’s own government regarding the benefits of democracy.
The United States of America Prides itself on its extensive democracy--it is one of the most free places in the world--so why is it that a citizen has the right to vote, and is expected to exercise it, when it could be potentially pointless to cast a ballot? The answer, is the Electoral College. The Electoral College was established because our founding fathers dictated that their citizenry was incapable of making informed decisions, and they thought it best that the central figurehead of the nation be decided by men like them. That is false now--the Electoral College is an antiquated system that needs to be abolished because it is an inaccurate representation of what the people want, it forces people to throw away their vote, and most importantly,
First, the Declaration of Independence declares that the government is by the people, which is based on the line “the consent of the governed.” Citizens in America each have a voice in the government if they let their voice be heard. Most commonly, this voice can be shared by voting in elections for government officials. This is still relevant today because people can vote, but unfortunately, many have chosen not to. According to statistics, the participation of U.S. citizens voting is constantly declining.
Although many have debated on their reasoning, the Electoral College system may be a noteworthy cause. As a democratic nation by the people and for the people, citizens feel betrayed when they believe that their vote isn’t worth anything. Therefore, the system they thought they knew and loved fails them. It is essential for citizen’s voices to be heard in a sea of dispute and many see their vote as a method for this to take place. However, when an unpopular candidate is elected President by a small margin it is understandable to believe
For instance our local government decides new laws that will be passed for our towns, the places we can live, and the places we can walk, and even things like businesses that are able to be open or need to be torn down. We may not think so but our votes are also important in the state and national elections as well. These are the people we will be depending on for the next term and the individuals we will have to look up to whether we like to or not. These are the people who budget our money and the individuals we are trusting. It is very important for us to go out and vote, it impacts us as an individual.
Voting could be considered the most prestigious principle for the definition of democracy. The ability to vote for an official, governor, representative, or president has been a cherished one and has kept the powerful in check by giving the power to the people. In this modern generation, voting is not considered a privilege, it is a right, but there are devious loopholes in the fallible laws that have violated the rights of the majority of citizens. These loopholes have given the power of choice back to the hands of the powerful, and they do so through covert methods, some thought out and created by the founding fathers themselves. The fault rightfully shifts to the Electoral College.
The United States currently faces a severe problem with one of their governmental processes. In the democratic system of the United States, politicians are elected by voting from the citizens, in most cases. The problem the United States is facing is that people are no longer voting in elections for officials. This problem is discussed in the article, “In praise of low voter turnout”, written by Charles Krauthammer. The main idea behind this article is that voters are no longer interested in politics, as they were in previous generations.
However, one of the key characteristics of a healthy democracy is a high voter-turnout. If people do not turn up on Election Day, it is likely that they do not see the point of holding elections or the conditions are not suitable for them to vote. People vote because they believe that their vote has the power to make changes in the country. Voter apathy often develops when voters do not see voting as a way of voicing their concerns. America therefore continues to tread on risky ground, if a way of increasing voter turnout is not found.
The Electoral college, I believe the electoral college is an amazing system, but many people don’t think the same way. The Electoral college gathers the votes from all the people in that state and combines them into votes that are easier to count and keep track of. Therefore, I think it couldn’t be better. The definition of the electoral College is; a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
The right to vote was a privilege given to only a particular group of people in the past. The right to participate in the judicial system to some is an honor. This process allows people to voice and chose who they want in office or what issue they want to support. Voter Id laws are incorporated into our society as a form of control in order to keep people silent. Voter id laws are under controversy because the law is viewed as being discriminatory against minorities.
Does the Majority Actually Rule? Aristotle mentioned “democracy is simply that form of government in which the greater number are sovereign.” (Aristotle) This is describing that the communities of middle and lower class people have a voice in their issues and who is in power looking over them. There are many different pros and cons as to why the majority rule is both beneficial but also hinders the government. Self-determination is described as people having the right to freely choose their sovereignty based on fair equality of opportunity.
Voting in an election is more than just voting in an election. Voting is a symbol of freedom, equal rights, opportunity for all, however, women can 't partake in this opportunity. Voting will give
In the United States, people always talk about freedom and equality. Especially they want elections could be more democratic. In American Democracy in Peril, Hudson’s main argument regarding chapter five “Election Without the People’s Voice,” is if elections want to be democratic, they must meet three essential criteria, which are to provide equal representation of all citizens, to be mechanisms for deliberation about public policy issues, and to control what government does. Unfortunately, those points that Hudson mentions are what American elections do not have. American elections do not provide equal representation to everyone in the country.
A state may develop and use its own mail voter registration form, if it meets all the same criteria. Photo I.D. is just a way that people can make sure that you are who you say you are. “Where ID was, there ego shall be. ”(Sigmund Freud-Australian Neurologist. Therefore I.D. can say a lot about a person and how they are.
Many have argued about whether or not the voting age of 18 should be maintained or lowered. To be fair, some of the people opposing to the change in the voting age are concerned about how mature and interested a 16 year old can be to take such a responsibility like voting and thats understandable. However, in my opinion lowering the voting age to 16 wouldn't cause a drastic change in the amount of people not voting. If anything it can actually help bring up the percentage of younger individuals who vote when having the influence to do so. Allowing voters in the age group of 16-18 a right to vote will cause a positive influence in young voters.
