Why did the Framers provide for the selection of senators by state legislatures?
What electoral reform did the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bring about? As a result of its adoption, do you think U.S. senators are more or less likely to closely monitor their constituents' opinions on a range of political issues?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain that the Framers were concerned that the Senate would be negatively influenced by the whims of the public and sought to isolate the Senate from the influence of public opinion by have state legislatures select senators.
2. Explain the change provided by the Seventeenth Amendment: Senators are no longer appointed by state legislators, but instead are voted in by citizens in state elections.
3. Assess whether this makes senators more or less likely to heed public opinion.
You might also like to view...
The relative autonomy of elites means
a. elites agree on all matters in U.S. policy. b. that each segment of the elite is relatively independent of the others and is able to pursue its own interests. c. elites are entirely autonomous from the masses. d. elites can disagree on foreign policy but never on immigration policy.
What is often filed on appeal of a lawsuit that offers supplemental legal arguments in an attempt to influence the reasoning of the court?
a. Third-party opinion b. Interest-group brief c. Dissenting opinion d. Amicus curiae brief
The universality of human rights is difficult to implement PRIMARILY due to:
A. the clashing principle of state sovereignty. B. the low levels of awareness around the globe. C. a lack of consensus about which rights are universal. D. a lack of an international court. E. logistical difficulties.
What effect do buyouts and reductions in force have on the government workforce?
a. transfer of responsibilities b. expansion of benefits c. reductions in numbers of employees d. reductions in scope of responsibility