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Robert Dahl How Democratic Is The American Constitution

899 Words4 Pages

"How Democratic is the American Constitution ?", by political scientist Robert A. Dahl is a short book that questions the ethical and political issues in America 's Constitution and the structure of the United States government. The book consists of a series of abstract lectures composed by Dahl that reflects on how the American Constitution affects modern society. While this short book brings out plentiful knowledge on the American system , it does not go any deeper into those general ideas for it is only about 200 pages. However, it is still a knowledgeable book to introduce the fundamentals of American government and political science and why American citizens should uphold the Constitution. Dahl introduces the book of how the Founding …show more content…

Representation in the Senate was conducted through the agreement of the Connecticut Compromise, which supported the idea of small states having equal representation as bigger states. Each state got two senators, regardless of population. Before the ratification of the 17th Amendment, Senators were appointed by state legislatures. This became contradictory due to its basis on equal representation by the people. The 17th Amendment changed that by allowing Senators to be elected by popular vote from the state that they are representing. One of the most important power is given to the judicial branch; this is the power of judicial review, where a judge can rule over any law that seems to be unconstitutional, even if it is signed by Congress and the President. Dahl feels that the judiciary branch has repeatedly used its power over authority to change the Constitution. Therefore, the judicial branch can be also interpreted as an independent branch due to their strong use of passing limitations by the government. Federal and State Power became a very controversial debate which was limited more than the other. The Constitution reserved sovereignty between both sides. It wasn 't until the ratification of the 16th Amendment that the federal government was able to have a much greater influence over the American economy. "...citizens must also possess the minimal resources that are necessary in order to take advantages of the opportunities and to exercise their rights." (p.

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