Constitution

Question 1

Arguments in favour of the constitution

Answer 1

Diffuses power throughout federal govt. and prevents tyranny or unbalanced concentration of power
Sufficient vagueness allows evolution to meet current political needs (abortion)
Amendment process prevents constitution being hijacked by short-term waves of sentiment

Question 2

Arguments against the constitution

Answer 2

Too vague - lost its principles
Amendment process is too demanding, preventing amendments from being made
Too much gridlock

Question 3

Arguments debating whether Congress is broken branch

Answer 3

Amount of legislation passed
Polarisation and extreme ideologies
Slowness

Question 4

Argument / example that Congress is broken: Amount of legislation passed

Answer 4

Too much gridlock - Typical Congress - just 2.4% of bills make it to law

Question 5

Argument / example that Congress is broken: Polarisation and extreme ideologies

Answer 5

Too many uncompetitive safe seats - Texas’ 35th district gerrymandered - ruled unconstitutional

Question 6

Argument / example that Congress is broken: Slowness

Answer 6

Congress is often slow in passing legislation as it is a complicated process. In 2013, Ted Cruz spoke for 21 hours straight on the Affordable Care Act

Question 7

Argument / example that Congress is not broken:

Answer 7

A lot of legislation is actually passed every year. Between 2015 and March 2016 Congress passed 139 pieces of legislation

Question 8

Argument / example that Congress is not broken: Polarisation and extreme ideologies

Answer 8

Reflective of a polarised nation - and don’t always stick to party lines. 34 democrat states voted against Obamacare in 2010

Question 9

Argument / example that Congress is not broken: Slowness

Answer 9

Slowness sue to the way constitution is written, ensures all legislation is properly scrutinised. Obamacare underwent deep scrutiny.