Author Question: To what extent is Congress today truly representative of the American public? How do you think ... (Read 10 times)

clippers! · **on:** Jul 9, 2018

To what extent is Congress today truly representative of the American public? How do you think Congress could become more representative of Americans?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Discuss the significance of the Baker v. Carr decision with regard to numerical representation. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alterations to representation over time.

What do you think has been most positive? What remains to be changed?

What will be an ideal response?

Kimmy · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 9, 2018

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1, Address the gender, race, and ethnic inequalities in Congress today.
2, Outline the income levels and occupations of members of Congress in relation to the American public.
3, Discuss whether redistricting and the creation of majority-minority districts can change the level of representation of Congress.
4, Argue whether reapportionment can be successful in light of the controversy over the actual population of each state.
5, Conclude with a short summation.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1, Critically analyze the impact of the 1961 Supreme Court decision. Note that the Constitution was silent with respect to numerical proportionality between districts. Baker v. Carr addressed this aspect of malapportionment. Ensuring that districts had equal numbers became a priority.
2, Expand upon the topic of representation, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the difficulty of creating equally populated districts while meeting the requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which intended to expand suffrage for African Americans
3, Address the issue of states losing and gaining seats after each census, particularly how states lose federal dollars as population diminishes relative to other states. Answer may describe other pertinent issues of reapportionment.
4, Provide a compelling argument on the pros and cons of the Supreme Court decision and its efficacy, the reapportionment process generally.