How do institutional biases and the growing influence of the Supreme Court in the American political system limit democratic representation and progressive reforms in an increasingly polarized country?

DM ANGLAIS CIVI

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the face of the earth.” These words uttered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, in the midst of a civil war tearing our America apart, symbolize the democratic ideal to which every nation aspires. Yet, on the eve of the 2024 presidential election, this ideal seems to be wavering. As Vox's article “The nightmare facing Democrats, even if Harris wins” points out, the very foundations of our democracy - the Constitution and its institutions - appear today to be weakened by structural biases and the dynamics of political polarization.This clearly left-leaning newspaper develops a pessimistic thesis for Democrats in this article: even if Kamala Harris wins, the Constitution and its institutions - notably the Supreme Court and the Senate - risk paralyzing her action. The author thus argues that, in an unbalanced system where each vote does not count equally, the Republican Party could impede Democratic reforms, severely limiting the scope of a possible Harris mandate.

So, how do institutional biases and the growing influence of the Supreme Court in the American political system limit democratic representation and progressive reforms in an increasingly polarized country?

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Summary =

Here's the translation into simpler English:

1. The Supreme Court: An Obstacle to Executive Authority

1. An Implicit Veto on Democratic Decisions

The current Supreme Court acts as a major obstacle to progressive policies by exercising what the article calls an "implicit veto" on democratic decisions. By often blocking federal agency actions, the Court prevents these policies from being quickly and effectively put into action. While some of Biden's proposals have eventually been approved, the delays caused by the Court significantly reduce their impact. This blocking mechanism slows down important progress in areas like climate change, civil rights, and public health.

2. Leniency Toward Republicans

The Supreme Court has also been criticized for being lenient toward Republicans, especially Donald Trump. For example, the Court has made decisions that protected Trump from prosecution for crimes allegedly committed while he was in office. This leniency shows a double standard: while Democratic policies are frequently challenged, Republican actions seem to get special protection. This contributes to the perception that the Court is biased in favor of Republicans.

2. The U.S. Electoral System: A Built-In Advantage for Republicans

1. Electoral and Institutional Bias

The article points out that the Electoral College system gives an unfair advantage to the Republican Party. In this system, it is possible for a candidate like Kamala Harris to win the popular vote but still lose the presidency, as has happened with other Democratic candidates in the past. This bias comes from the disproportionate power given to small states, which tend to vote Republican, compared to more populous states.

2. A Senate Out of Reach for Democrats

The same bias shows up in the Senate, where small states have the same number of senators as large states. This gives Republicans an institutional advantage, even if they do not have the majority of votes. Even if Democrats win the popular vote nationwide, they struggle to control the Senate. To win a majority, Harris and the Democrats would need to win in both Democratic strongholds and traditional Republican states, which is a very difficult task.

3. A Constitution Out of Step with Modern Demographics

1. Uneven Population Distribution

Democrats rely heavily on urban voters, who live in densely populated areas. However, the political system overrepresents rural and less populated states, which tend to vote Republican. This creates a structural bias against Democrats within government institutions.

2. An Old but Increasingly Relevant Imbalance

This imbalance, built into the Constitution, is even more relevant today due to growing geographic polarization. With voters becoming more concentrated in urban areas, it has become harder for Democrats to turn their popular support into political power. The Constitution, which was designed at a time when states were more evenly balanced in population, now limits the true representation of voters.

Conclusion

The article highlights a political system in the U.S. that consistently favors the Republican Party through its institutions and constitutional framework. The Supreme Court, with its blocking role, and mechanisms like the Electoral College and the Senate give Republicans a built-in advantage. This situation reflects an increasing mismatch between an old Constitution and the current demographic and political realities.

Commentary =

Here’s the revised version of your plan with specific examples added to each section to illustrate the points more clearly:

1) The Supreme Court's Polarization and Growing Political Power

A Conservative-Majority Supreme Court

Since Donald Trump’s presidency, the Supreme Court has solidified its conservative majority. Trump appointed three justices during his term: Neil Gorsuch (2017), Brett Kavanaugh (2018), and Amy Coney Barrett (2020). With a 6-3 conservative majority, the Court has become a key player in shaping national policy. One of the most significant examples of this is the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision (2022), which overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), ending the federal constitutional right to abortion and granting states the power to regulate abortion laws. This ruling was seen as a major victory for conservatives and illustrated the influence of the conservative majority in shaping the country's legal landscape.

An Indirect “Veto” on Democratic Policies

The Court has frequently acted as an obstacle to Democratic

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