So will we ever be rid of the electoral system? Do we even want to be? While our reasoning about voter power generally tends to be deontological (i.e. one person, one vote is inherently right), these arguments are quite utilitarian in their appeal, which seems to at once make them suspect. But if the price of freedom truly is eternal vigilance, we need to explore these practical effects of the Electoral College before we decide to dismantle a central part of our federal election system.
B.J. Greenleaf '01 is a physics concentrator in Mather House. His column appears on alternate Tuesdays.