Over the past few years, discussions about the viability of the electoral college have taken centre stage. We saw this with the election of George W. Bush and calls to abolish the electoral college became deafening after the 2016 election. What are the benefits and risks of abolishing the electoral college? Do you believe that the Electoral College should be abolished? Why or why not?
The viability of the electoral college
Sample Solution
The benefits of abolishing the electoral college include making it easier for citizens to have their votes count. By eliminating the Electoral College system, all votes would be weighed equally and every vote cast would matter in determining who wins the election. Additionally, abolishing the Electoral College system could bring a greater sense of unity between states as it would limit gerrymandering and other partisan efforts that can divide states into separate voting blocs based on political beliefs.
The second theory is ‘Liquid Modernity’ developed by Bauman. In liquid modernity, the web has a momentary value, the past and future become meaningless as coordinates of the psychological life of the individuals’ present (Bauman, 2009). The reason and reality tend to break down the subject having the illusion of being omnipotent, omnipresent and immortal (Carabellese et al., 2014). Therefore, on the web, the other cannot be met as a real person but in terms of an empty simulacrum, convenience and appearance (Baudrillard, 1981), lacking its own identity defined in its spatial and temporal coordinates (Cassinari, 2005).
Space Transition Theory concludes seven key postulates, (1) person, with repressed criminal behaviour (in the physical space) have a propensity to commit a crime in cyberspace which they would not commit in physical space, due to their status and position. Due to Rosica being an ex-cop restricted him committing a behaviour in physical space, as he had to maintain his status and position of being an ex-cop. (2) Identity flexibility, dissociative anonymity and the lack of deterrence factor in the cyberspace provides offenders with the choice to commit cybercrime. Rosica had the accessibility to create a fake online identity in which he did (Katy Jones), this was the identity flexibility factor. This meant that his real identity was hidden/anonymous (dissociative anonymity). And he also knew there is no certainty of punishment, especially with an unknown identity (lack of deterrence). (3) Criminal behaviour of offenders in cyberspace is likely to be imported into physical space, vice versa. Information was not given about Roscia’s physical stalking but he was charged five years for this being one of the reasons. (4) Intermittent ventures of offenders into the cyberspace and the dynamic spatiotemporal nature of cyberspace provide the chance to escape. Roscia knows that in cyberspace there is no continuous risk in getting caught, as the changing of space and time can contribute to the offenders’ escape. (5) (a) strangers are likely to unite together in cyberspace to commit a crime in the physical space and (b) associates of physical space are likely to unite to commit a crime in cyberspace. This claim does not apply t