Is it time to drop the Electoral College?

[Chris]

So?

Here, listen to or read the notes to this: Rodden on the Geography of Voting.

[Peter1469]

So?

We have a republic- that protects minority rights.

A democracy is worse than a tyranny.

[Captain Obvious]

We have a republic- that protects minority rights.

A democracy is worse than a tyranny.

Great. How?

In terms of the EC. I keep hearing a lot of textbook stuff, but haven't gotten any practical examples yet.

[Chris]

Thought I did, the electoral college give states a modicum of power over a populist, nationalist vote.

I don't see it as political one way or another. According to this, Electoral College vs. popular vote splits, it has favored Reps over Dems:

Remember, I'm the guy sees no difference between the duopolistic parties.

To me it's simply a matter of where power resides, in the states, a federalist system, as it was designed, or the central government, a federal system, which changing it from electoral to popular wound nudge us toward.

Bump, three practical examples. Bush pushed us liberally away from federalism and toward bigger federal government but probably not as much as Gore would have.

[Peter1469]

Great. How?

In terms of the EC. I keep hearing a lot of textbook stuff, but haven't gotten any practical examples yet.

Think of it as checks and balances - to protect little states from small states; rural communities from cities.

You never heard of this before?

[Captain Obvious]

Think of it as checks and balances - to protect little states from small states; rural communities from cities.

You never heard of this before?

Yes, of course.

What I haven't heard yet so far is a real-time example.

I get the textbook definition. Comprende. Now tell me in practical terms how it works.

[waltky]

They should divvy up the electoral votes...

... in every state...

... like they do in Maine.

[Chris]

Yes, of course.

What I haven't heard yet so far is a real-time example.

I get the textbook definition. Comprende. Now tell me in practical terms how it works.

I don't get your disdain for "textbook". By definition eliminating the electoral college would undermine states rights and strengthen majoritarian rule. And I gave you three examples where the outcome would've been different and changed the course of history. Of course since it hasn't happened we have no data, but even if it did then there'd be no counterfactuals to compare with either, unless you want to conduct an experiment in quantum physics, kill the cat and not kill it at the same time.

[Peter1469]

They should divvy up the electoral votes...

... in every state...

... like they do in Maine.

Two states do that. I would be OK with that.