In Defense of the Senate
In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.
TL;DR
- Left-wing proposals often aim to abolish constitutional structures like the Senate, which the article argues would lead to mob rule.
- The Senate has historically provided stability to American democracy by ensuring national laws represent the entire nation.
- Attempts to import proportional representation are seen as a move towards Third World banana-republicanism.
- James Madison, while initially objecting to a malapportioned Senate, ultimately supported it as a check and balance in a federal system with limited government.
- Alexander Hamilton favored a more aristocratic Senate with lifetime appointments, modeled on the British House of Lords.
- The passage of the 17th Amendment, which led to direct election of senators, diffused elections and made senators less accountable to local issues.
- Eliminating the legislative filibuster would lead to the passage of wide-ranging laws by thin majorities, causing destabilization.
- The frustration with the Senate's inability to act reflects the electorate's division, making mechanisms that constrain partisan overreach even more crucial.
- The normalization of ideas that delegitimize institutions and the rule of law, such as packing the Supreme Court or getting rid of the Electoral College, is a concern.
- The survival of the U.S. system depends on citizens believing in it, even when they don't get their way.