Over the years there has been concern expressed by a number of groups and individuals that the U.S. Congress does not fairly represent the constantly changing populations of the nation as a whole as well as among the various states–in general, that it has not kept up with the evolution in size and demographic changes the country has experienced. With this in mind, review section 6.7 (‘Political Reform and Realities: How Is Institutional Power Balanced?’) in Chapter 6 of the Pearson Revel American Government text, along with as many as you can of the supplemental readings provided below, then thoughtfully consider and discuss the following questions
What are your thoughts regarding the calls to alter the shape and size of the U.S. Congress in order to better match the evolving shapes, sizes, concentrations and distributions of the country’s peoples?
Do you think it a good idea to expand the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in order to be better representative of the country’s growing population? Why or why not? What should be done about the problem of gerrymandering? If so, how would you argue that it be done?
Should the structure and composition of the U.S. Senate be adjusted in order to make it reflect the concentrations and distributions of the country across the various states? Why or why not? If so, how would you argue that it be done?
