Author Archives: Rachel Nelson

Electoral College Necessary for American Democracy

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Rachel Nelson
Professor Lovecraft
PS F301
September 27, 2022

Debate 1

In the question of whether America’s president should be elected directly by the people (purely popular vote) or by the electoral college, Byron E. Shafer is correct in his vehement stance that the electoral college is a necessary institution of American democracy.

Shafer is correct for many reasons, some of which he discusses such as the polarization of contemporary politics and the need to have the popular vote filtered through the electoral college as a means to funnel it toward an “ideological middle” and how a true popular vote would a.) not actually reflect the desired outcome of the country, and b.) because a true popular vote would actually exacerbate party domination, not alleviate it.

Some other reasons to be in favor of the electoral college not unpacked by Shafer are that the electoral college can act like a sort of gatekeeper, ensuring that a charismatic demagogue who is a threat to democracy is less likely to be elected president, and that the individuals actually casting the vote in the presidential election are educated and invested in the current scene of politics in the nation and hopefully internationally.

In this current political climate in America there is extreme ideological polarization, creating extreme and narrowly-thought views on political issues on either side of the political spectrum. In order to find a more temperate, milder middle ground, filtering the popular vote through the electoral college ensures swing states are able to act as an “antipolarizer.”

The popular vote would also not actually elect the “most popular” presidential candidate as intended. With votes split between candidates, it is probable that someone running for president who garnered only a third of the nation’s vote or even less might be elected president where currently with the electoral college there is more likelihood of near half the country supporting the candidate that is ultimately elected.

The Electoral College is Necessary for American Democracy

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Rachel Nelson
Professor Lovecraft
PS F301
September 27, 2022

Debate 1

In the question of whether America’s president should be elected directly by the people (purely popular vote) or by the electoral college, Byron E. Shafer is correct in his vehement stance that the electoral college is a necessary institution of American democracy.

Shafer is correct for many reasons, some of which he discusses such as the polarization of contemporary politics and the need to have the popular vote filtered through the electoral college as a means to funnel it toward an “ideological middle” and how a true popular vote would a.) not actually reflect the desired outcome of the country, and b.) because a true popular vote would actually exacerbate party domination, not alleviate it.

Some other reasons to be in favor of the electoral college not unpacked by Shafer are that the electoral college can act like a sort of gatekeeper, ensuring that a charismatic demagogue who is a threat to democracy is less likely to be elected president, and that the individuals actually casting the vote in the presidential election are educated and invested in the current scene of politics in the nation and hopefully internationally.

In this current political climate in America there is extreme ideological polarization, creating extreme and narrowly-thought views on political issues on either side of the political spectrum. In order to find a more temperate, milder middle ground, filtering the popular vote through the electoral college ensures swing states are able to act as an “antipolarizer.”

The popular vote would also not actually elect the “most popular” presidential candidate as intended. With votes split between candidates, it is probable that someone running for president who garnered only a third of the nation’s vote or even less might be elected president where currently with the electoral college there is more likelihood of near half the country supporting the candidate that is ultimately elected.

We Came, We Saw the Monarchy, We Said Thanks But No Thanks 

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Rachel Nelson
Professor Lovecraft
PS F301
September, 10, 2022

We Came, We Saw the Monarchy, We Said Thanks But No Thanks

Why does America have a president? There are many reasons one could choose, but ultimately America has a president because England had a king. From the very beginning of America’s history, whatever your thoughts about it, the desire to have a government without a ruler wielding absolute power over helpless citizens is an ever-present one. The framers got together to solidify this idea, through different perspectives and ideas, in the form of a democracy of the people and for the people.

The issue of how to run a nation according to a nation’s people is a sticky one to be sure: differing ideas, upbringings, and personal beliefs is bound to make a single answer to a question a much more arduous process, especially when one’s populace is largely uneducated in the ways of governmental management. But, overall a good goal to hold. Residing in a nation under a king, even a world away, gave early Americans a piping hot taste of what it was like to be unheard and taken advantage of. Ideals like freedom of speech, the right to vote, freedom of the press, judicial liberties— all of these luxuries we possess now, were what revolutionaries fought and died for and what the framers had in mind when constructing the early government system that has morphed into what we see today. These were not brand new ideas to humanity, however, examples of these can be found in Greek and Roman history and were drawn on by framers whilst crafting the documents, systems, and stations of the early American government. By no means perfect, there was quite a bit of trial and error instituting the newly fashioned system of governance— from lack of funding to trouble getting respect and compliance from citizens, groups, and even each other, setting up the American democracy was no easy feat.

Though it is clear that presidents wield far more power than was ever intended by framers, even to the point some would classify America as an imperial democracy, the separation of powers, checks and balances, voting by citizens, and rights upheld in the constitution are all part of the system of government framers dreamed of creating, with the presidency firmly planted in the executive branch. Living in a world dominated by hereditary secession of absolute power, early Americans and the framers yearned from a system of governance that put officials elected by the people in power, answerable to the people. While this only included white, land-holding men as the “people” being referred to, it was the stepping stool for the democracy we see (for the most part) thriving today.

Introduction

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Hi everyone! my name is Rachel and I am a Political Science major/Japanese minor student. I am currently a senior. I was born and raised in Fairbanks and live with my two sons, three cats, and lizard. I enjoy music, coffee, and riding my motorcycle! excited to be learning with you this semester! My one question about the presidency is what are the limitations on executive orders?