How democratic is the American Constitution Dahls argument

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How democratic is the American Constitution?

How democratic is the American Constitution?

Dahl’s argument • The Constitution is not a sacred text • Our system does

Dahl’s argument • The Constitution is not a sacred text • Our system does not live up to modern democratic standards • Our system of government is no better than other democratic systems

How is our Constitution undemocratic? • Slavery • No guarantee of right to vote

How is our Constitution undemocratic? • Slavery • No guarantee of right to vote • Insulated from popular control – Senators chosen by state legislators – President chosen by electors • Judicial review • No clear allowance for regulation or taxes

Electoral College Vote Distribution, largest to smallest, 2004 and 2008 California 55 Mass. 12

Electoral College Vote Distribution, largest to smallest, 2004 and 2008 California 55 Mass. 12 South Carolina 8 Hawaii 4 Texas 34 Indiana 11 Connecticut 7 Idaho 4 New York 31 Missouri 11 Iowa 7 Maine 4 Florida 27 Tennessee 11 Oklahoma 7 New Hampshire 4 Illinois 21 Washington 11 Oregon 7 Rhode Island 4 Pennsylvania 21 Arizona 10 Arkansas 6 Alaska 3 Ohio 20 Maryland 10 Kansas 6 Delaware 3 Michigan 17 Minnesota 10 Mississippi 6 D. C. 3 Georgia 15 Wisconsin 10 Nebraska 5 Montana 3 New Jersey 15 Alabama 9 Nevada 5 North Dakota 3 North Carolina 15 Colorado 9 New Mexico 5 South Dakota 3 Virginia 13 Louisiana 9 Utah 5 Vermont 3 Kentucky 8 West Virginia 5 Wyoming 3

How has the Constitution become more democratic over time? • Expansion of suffrage •

How has the Constitution become more democratic over time? • Expansion of suffrage • Abolition of slavery • Changes to election of Senators

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • Unitary, not federal

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • Unitary, not federal

Federal Unitary Austria Costa Rica Australia Denmark Canada Finland Germany France Switzerland Iceland Belgium

Federal Unitary Austria Costa Rica Australia Denmark Canada Finland Germany France Switzerland Iceland Belgium Ireland United States Israel Italy Japan Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Norway Sweden United Kingdom

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • Unitary, not federal • Unicameral (not bicameral)

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • Unitary, not federal • Unicameral (not bicameral) legislatures

Bicameral Unicameral Australia Costa Rica Germany Denmark Switzerland Finland United States France Iceland Ireland

Bicameral Unicameral Australia Costa Rica Germany Denmark Switzerland Finland United States France Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Japan Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Norway Sweden United Kingdom Belgium Austria

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • Unitary, not federal • Unicameral (not bicameral)

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • Unitary, not federal • Unicameral (not bicameral) legislatures • No judicial review – Except USA, Canada, Germany

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • • Unitary, not federal Unicameral (not bicameral)

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • • Unitary, not federal Unicameral (not bicameral) legislatures No judicial review Parliamentary not separated system – USA the only separated system

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • • • Unitary, not federal Unicameral (not

Other democratic systems aren’t like ours! • • • Unitary, not federal Unicameral (not bicameral) legislatures No judicial review Parliamentary not separated system PR not Plurality

Plurality vs. Proportional Representation PLURALITY PR • Just need one more vote than next

Plurality vs. Proportional Representation PLURALITY PR • Just need one more vote than next candidate to win a seat in legislature • Party gets seats in legislature proportional to the percent of the vote it received • Favors multiple parties • Favors two parties

Our democracy is no better (or worse? ) than other democracies • • •

Our democracy is no better (or worse? ) than other democracies • • • Stability Individual rights Responsiveness Fairness to losers Effectiveness?

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