What good is the electoral college anyway? | S02E01 | Political Reality
Summary
Hosts Steve and Andrew explore the Electoral College’s history, tracing its origins to the Constitutional Convention’s compromises over state power and slavery. They debate arguments for and against the system, highlighting issues like unequal vote weight and the disproportionate focus on swing states. The episode examines potential reforms, including proportional allocation, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, and expanding the House, noting the political hurdles to change.
Topics discussed
Introduction and personal views on the Electoral College
Historical origins: Founding Fathers and the Connecticut Compromise
The role of slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise
Evolution of the system and the 12th Amendment
Faithless electors and plurality vs. majority rules
Arguments for the Electoral College: simplicity and stability
Arguments against: swing states, voter suppression, and unfairness
Media incentives and the 'horse race' narrative
Does the system favor Republicans or Democrats?
The difficulty of passing a constitutional amendment
Alternative 1: Proportional allocation of electoral votes
Alternative 2: The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
Alternative 3: Increasing the size of the House of Representatives
Legislative logjams and the need for a populist movement
Overcoming partisanship to reform American democracy
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