The US Constitution has been identified to have many flaws that have undermined the freedoms and the rights of the American citizens. The constitution, which was originally adopted in 1787, was an unprecented document which defined a structure of government until then unknown to humanity. It was indeed a well thought-of masterpiece and acted as a leading light to the early society. It had clear-cut checks and balances which served the people back then effectively.
Over the years, the constitution has managed to hold the country together despite many National and International upheavals. However, in recent years, there have been numerous changes to the dynamics of the U.S. population which have come with the pressure of amendment of some clauses of the constitution to respond to these varied views.The constitution has had difficulty in keeping pace with these rapid changes and developments. Among the issues where the constitution has flaws are: two-party democracy, the electoral college, non-real citizens and dangerous concentration of power on the president.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Lapses in the U.S.A Constitution
- The Electoral College
- The Two-Party System
- Non-Real Citizens
- Concentration of Power on the President
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text examines critical flaws in the U.S.A Constitution, arguing that these flaws have undermined the freedoms and rights of American citizens. The text asserts that these flaws are rooted in the original design of the Constitution and that they have become increasingly problematic as the country has evolved.
- The limitations of the Electoral College in a true democracy
- The detrimental effects of the two-party system on political participation and representation
- The creation of “Non-Real Citizens” due to disengagement and political apathy
- The danger of concentrated power in the presidency, leading to potential abuses
- The urgent need for constitutional amendments to address these issues and protect the fundamental rights of American citizens
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The text focuses on four major flaws in the U.S.A Constitution: the Electoral College, the two-party system, the creation of “Non-Real Citizens”, and the concentration of power in the presidency. Each section argues that these flaws have negative consequences for American democracy and proposes solutions through constitutional amendments.
- The Electoral College is criticized for not reflecting the will of the people and undermining the principle of “one person, one vote.” The text highlights the 2017 presidential election where the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, won despite losing the popular vote to Hilary Clinton.
- The two-party system is presented as a major obstacle to political diversity and representation. The text argues that the winner-take-all system discourages the emergence of third parties and leaves many Americans feeling unrepresented.
- The concept of “Non-Real Citizens” refers to the growing disengagement and apathy among American citizens. The text attributes this to the disconnect between the people and the government, leading to frustration and a sense of powerlessness. The Occupy Wall Street movement is presented as an example of this phenomenon.
- The text examines the growing concerns regarding the concentration of power in the presidency. The argument is that the executive branch has become too powerful, leading to potential abuses of power and a Congress that is out of touch with the public.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The text examines the limitations of the U.S.A Constitution focusing on the Electoral College, the two-party system, the concept of “Non-Real Citizens,” and the concentration of power in the presidency. The text argues for constitutional amendments to address these issues and ensure a more inclusive and representative democracy in the U.S.A.
- Quote paper
- Doctor Alfhonce Michael (Author), 2016, Lapses and Lacunae in the U.S. Constitution, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/373288
