Discuss representative democracy as conceived by the framers. Include a brief discussion of Edmund Burke's philosophy.
What will be an ideal response?
According to the framers, a representative democracy would guard against chaos and civil unrest by incorporating the principle of majority rule along with built-in protection against excessive majoritarianism. The objective was a government sensitive to the majority's immediate concern that was also able to promote long-term societal interests. As a way of satisfying both of these desires, one chamber of the legislature was to be popularly elected, and the other removed from direct majoritarian interest by election through state legislatures. Presidential election also reflected this push-and-pull between seeking a compromise between majority rule and limiting popular will through using a system of electors that would be chosen by the states.
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How many courts of appeals are in the federal system?
a. two b. six c. thirteen d. twelve
Americans generally support the idea of a small, efficient government, but they find it difficult to identify areas they would like to see cut. In a 2011 survey, what was the program that Americans were most reluctant to cut?
a. defense b. scientific research c. combating crime d. veterans benefits e. Medicare
The approach that explains ethnic conflict by stressing the fundamental, psychological bonds of kinship and identity that establish ethnic differences that divide people and often generate “ancient ethnic hatreds” is known as ______.
a. primordialism b. constructivism c. instrumentalism d. realism
The 3/5ths Clause of the Constitution was a compromise over which of the following issues?
a. The balance between state and federal power b. The tradeoff between security and liberty c. Presidential power d. Slavery