Proportional Representation, the Three-Fifths Compromise, and the Constitution

Extract

[...] However, the equal representation in the Senate distorts this balance, giving smaller states disproportionate power. For example, Delaware, with a population of approximately 59,096, will have the same senatorial power as Virginia, with a population of about 747,410 (Free and Slave Populations by State (1790) para 1). This creates a scenario where a minority of the population can block or push through legislation against the majority's interests. The reason for opposing equal representation for small states in the Senate is rooted in the desire for a fair and equitable system of governance. [...]

[...] Moreover, the power to command the military and conduct foreign policy without robust oversight is particularly troubling. These powers are reminiscent of those held by monarchs, and they pose a substantial risk to the democratic principles we fought so hard to secure. Works Cited Madison, James. "The Avalon Project: Federalist No 54." Avalon.law.yale.edu avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed54.asp. Accessed 30 May 2024. "Free and Slave Populations by State (1790)." Teaching American History teachingamericanhistory.org/resource/the-constitutional-convention-free-and-slave-populations-by-state-1790/Accessed 30th May 2024. Constitutional Accountability Center. "Understanding the Three-Fifths Compromise Constitutional Accountability Center." Accessed Constitutional Accountability Center www.theusconstitution.org/news/understanding-the-three-fifths-compromise/ Accessed 30th May 2024. [...]

[...] Main Concerns with the Proposed Constitution The Anti-Federalists have the following major concerns with the proposed Constitution. Firstly, the concentration of power in a strong central government is a potential threat to the autonomy of the states. The federal system dismantles the authority of state governments and threatens to erode the freedoms that these governments are most capable of preserving. Secondly, the structure of the proposed government does not have an adequate system of checks and balances. The powers vested in the executive branch, particularly the presidency, are alarmingly broad. [...]

[...] Unfair Representation in the Senate The Great Compromise stipulates that each state, regardless of population, will have two senators. It is not fair that a state with a small population should be equally represented in the U.S. Senate as a large state. The Great Compromise, which gives each state two senators regardless of population, inherently disadvantages larger states. This arrangement allows states with significantly fewer residents to exert equal legislative power in the Senate as those with much larger populations, undermining the principle of representative democracy. [...]

[...] Thirdly, the lack of a Bill of Rights is a glaring omission. The Constitution does not adequately protect the fundamental rights and liberties of individuals. Without explicit protections, there is a real danger that the federal government could infringe upon the freedoms of speech, assembly, religion, and more. The Three-Fifths Compromise, which stipulates that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for both representation and taxation purposes, is another contentious provision (Constitutional Accountability Center para 3). This compromise reflects a deeply troubling view of human beings as mere property. [...]