The extent of democracy within the Constitution 1.4

Question 1

how come ‘election’ shows the extent of democracy within the Constitution

Answer 1

• fundamental principles of representative democracy
• US country that votes more in the world
• House of Reps do elections every 2 years
• Senate do elections every 6

Question 2

how come ‘election’ do not show the extent of democracy within the Constitution

Answer 2

• electoral college
• out-dated voting method
• offend representative democracy

Question 3

how come ‘Checks and balances’ shows the extent of democracy within the Constitution

Answer 3

• prevent irrational individual’s agenda (George Bush and his line-veto)
• considered by the many, not the few

Question 4

how come ‘Checks and Balances’ do not show the extent of democracy within the Constitution

Answer 4

• polarisation means legislation is not passed ( immigration reform was not allowed to be discussed in full )

Question 5

CASE STUDY: Affordable care act and electoral democracy

Answer 5

• once congress, executive and legislature was dominated by Republicans, they tried to repeal ACA from Obama
• were not able to because they didn’t find a replacement, therefor, useless

Question 6

how come ‘Rights Protection’ show the extent of democracy within the Constitution

Answer 6

• bill of rights allows individual freedom
• free from excessive government control
• EXAMPLE: freedom of religion

Question 7

how come ‘Rights Protection’ not show the extent of democracy within the Constitution

Answer 7

• if the president wants to introduce new laws described in manifesto, constitution prevents it

Question 8

overall, why do conservatives and liberals disagree on the role of the constitution in modern society

Answer 8

• conservatives = protect the status quo, economic elite continues
• liberals = decided by the few, not the many

Question 9

what is a ‘majoritarian’ government

Answer 9

• the majority gets what they want
• people select their representatives
• maximises power of the people

Question 10

what is a ‘pluralist’ government

Answer 10

• view majoritarian government as too simplistic
• allows proportional representation = majority do to gain excessive power
• still maximises people power