PAPER ASSIGNMENT

A critic charges: "The U.S. would be much better off today if the Founders had simply adopted the Virginia Plan proposed by Madison." Assume, for the moment, that the Virginia Plan (or something very similar to it) could have won ratification by the states in 1787.

In what ways would it have provided for a better governmental system?

In what ways would it have provided for a less desirable system? Based on your analysis of the tradeoffs involved, do you agree with the critic?

Consider such criteria as the government's capacity to address shared problems, the degree of coercion likely to be imposed, responsiveness to citizen preferences, and minority rights.

Note: The main features of the Virginia Plan are the following:

1. Two-chamber legislature; representation in each chamber based on state population.

2. Lower chamber of legislature elected by citizens of each state; upper chamber, executive, and courts elected by the lower house.

3. Legislature can make any law regarding any national problem.

4. Legislature can veto state legislation that it believes conflicts with national laws or with the Constitution.

5. Council of Revision (composed of executive and court) can veto legislation passed by national legislature, but legislature can override by majority vote.

Draw on the readings, lectures, section discussions, and what you have learned about American politics in answering the question.

You should write 4-6 pages. The paper should be written in 12-point font with one inch margins and should be double-spaced.