Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Shutdown Day #10
Grade 12: Participation in Government and Civics
This course aims to provide students with opportunities to become engaged in the political process by acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills necessary for active citizenship. Content specifications are not included, so that the course can adapt to present local, national, and global circumstances, allowing teachers to select flexibly from current events to illuminate key ideas and conceptual understandings. Participation in government and in our communities is fundamental to
the success of American democracy.
12.G1 FOUNDATIONS of AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: The principles of American democracy are reflected in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and in the organization and actions of federal, state, and local government entities. The interpretation and application of American democratic principles continue to evolve and be debated. 12.G1a Enlightenment ideas such as natural rights, the social contract, popular sovereignty, and representative government greatly influenced the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
bkovalchik@apw.cnyric.org
Permalinks:
C19 Tracker
Amendments Summarized
Constitution of the United States
Lesson on The Electoral College:
The question was asked: "Why do we have the Electoral College?" And so, in response to that question, let us look at the following to try to get a sense of things.
In order to understand the EC, one must first reflect upon Madison's submission to "The Federalist Papers", specifically, Federalist #10. In it, Madison is addressing the dangers of Factionalism, and how a governmental structure can frustrate or break the tendencies of factions to be disruptive. He specifically warns against the danger of "popular democracies" and their tendencies to foment, or incite, violence.
Q: Why the concern over factionalism and does The Electoral College blunt factionalism or encourage it?
To start, take a look at the first link:
Historical Electoral Map
Now, take a look at the most recent electoral map from 2016. This map shows the political preferences of Americans, county by county.
2016 Electoral Map by County
What did you notice by looking at this map? Did any trends or demographic observations jump out at you? Feel free to leave comments!!
Now, let's look at a recent Population Density Map of the United States. What do you notice as related to the 2016 Electoral Map by County?
USA Population Density Map
Next, please take a look at the distribution of where we grow/raise food in this country, and balance that against where you see high density of population.
Map of US Cropland Value
Map of US Cattle Production
Now, take another look at the county by county electoral map of 2016
2016 Electoral Map by County
So, the big question is: What would happen if we did away with the Electoral College, as some are proposing? What would happen to the political rights of those area that currently produce the majority of our crops and cattle? What would happen if the areas of this country which were Net consumers of crops and cattle had their political input for President trampled by the large urban areas of the country? Would future Presidential candidates even have to pay attention to these areas in order to get elected? For a model of this, we could extrapolate how New York State currently operates with the domination of NYC over the political input of the rest of the state - how do you feel about that?
Video: Why we have an Electoral College
This course aims to provide students with opportunities to become engaged in the political process by acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills necessary for active citizenship. Content specifications are not included, so that the course can adapt to present local, national, and global circumstances, allowing teachers to select flexibly from current events to illuminate key ideas and conceptual understandings. Participation in government and in our communities is fundamental to
the success of American democracy.
12.G1 FOUNDATIONS of AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: The principles of American democracy are reflected in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and in the organization and actions of federal, state, and local government entities. The interpretation and application of American democratic principles continue to evolve and be debated. 12.G1a Enlightenment ideas such as natural rights, the social contract, popular sovereignty, and representative government greatly influenced the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Thanks to those of you who have checked in!! If you visit the page, please leave me a comment below. Poke around the resources below. Take good care of yourselves and let me know how you are doing from time to time. Be safe! Much love - K
bkovalchik@apw.cnyric.org
apwhistoryecon@gmail.com
Permalinks:
C19 Tracker
Amendments Summarized
Constitution of the United States
Lesson on The Electoral College:
The question was asked: "Why do we have the Electoral College?" And so, in response to that question, let us look at the following to try to get a sense of things.
In order to understand the EC, one must first reflect upon Madison's submission to "The Federalist Papers", specifically, Federalist #10. In it, Madison is addressing the dangers of Factionalism, and how a governmental structure can frustrate or break the tendencies of factions to be disruptive. He specifically warns against the danger of "popular democracies" and their tendencies to foment, or incite, violence.
Q: Why the concern over factionalism and does The Electoral College blunt factionalism or encourage it?
To start, take a look at the first link:
Historical Electoral Map
Now, take a look at the most recent electoral map from 2016. This map shows the political preferences of Americans, county by county.
2016 Electoral Map by County
What did you notice by looking at this map? Did any trends or demographic observations jump out at you? Feel free to leave comments!!
Now, let's look at a recent Population Density Map of the United States. What do you notice as related to the 2016 Electoral Map by County?
USA Population Density Map
Next, please take a look at the distribution of where we grow/raise food in this country, and balance that against where you see high density of population.
Map of US Cropland Value
Map of US Cattle Production
Now, take another look at the county by county electoral map of 2016
2016 Electoral Map by County
So, the big question is: What would happen if we did away with the Electoral College, as some are proposing? What would happen to the political rights of those area that currently produce the majority of our crops and cattle? What would happen if the areas of this country which were Net consumers of crops and cattle had their political input for President trampled by the large urban areas of the country? Would future Presidential candidates even have to pay attention to these areas in order to get elected? For a model of this, we could extrapolate how New York State currently operates with the domination of NYC over the political input of the rest of the state - how do you feel about that?
Video: Why we have an Electoral College
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