Free Response Practice

1.) The Legislative Branch, specifically the House of Representatives, is the most closely linked to the people. The nature of the House is direct representation. This being the case, people directly elect, and therefore have a direct influence on, representatives. The process of direct election allows voters to select representatives that reflect their ideals and policy they support.

The United States Constitution restricts majority rule with the Judicial Branch and the Senate in Congress. The Judicial Branch is free of the direct influence of the people. The Supreme Court Judges are appointed for life by the president and are not obligated to cave to will of the majority. The role of the judges is to uphold the constitution and since they do not have to worry about re-election, they are unburdened by responsibility or losing their position due to voter displeasure, the will of the majority is not priority. The Senate, similarly, is out of the majority's hands. Selected by state legislatures, the voters do not have a say in the population that controls the electoral college. These two institutions restrict the majority rule and ensure that there is no mob tyranny.