Understanding the foundations of the U.S. presidential election system

This is the first book on the U.S. presidential election system to analyze basic principles underlying the design of the existing system and those at the heart of competing proposals for improving the system. The book discusses how the use of some election rules embedded in provisions of the U.S. Constitution and in the Presidential Succession Act may cause skewed or strange election outcomes and election stalemates. The book argues that the act may not cover some rare though possible situations which the Twentieth Amendment authorizes Congress to address. Also, the book questions the constitutionality of the National Popular Vote Plan to introduce a direct popular presidential election de facto, without amending the U.S. Constitution, and addresses the plan’s “Achilles Heel.” Lastly, the book proposes a plan for improving the election system bycombining the “one state, one vote” principle - embedded in the U.S. Constitution - and the “one person, one vote” principle at the national level. Proposes how to make the national popular vote a decisive factor in determining the election outcome while keeping the Electoral College as a contingency plan. Indicates a logical mistake in the text of the U.S. Constitution whichhas remained undetected for more than 200 years. Analyzes the 'Achilles Heel'of the National Popular Vote Plan to introduce direct popular presidential elections in the U.S. de facto, without amending the U.S. Constitution. Discusses four puzzles of the Twelfth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

• ISBN: 978-3-642-23818-5
• Editorial: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 250
• Fecha Publicación: 17/02/2012
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés