In the representation of the United States, the composition of Congress is very critical. The paper will handle the proportion of minorities, such as women, African Americans, lesbians, openly gay people, and many other members of Congress. In this paper, the nature of representation will be explored, along with the leading causes of some groups’ underrepresentation, the analysis of women’s and minorities’ rising representation, the effect of underrepresentation on congressional business, and strategies for achieving equal representation.
Proportion of Underrepresented Groups in Congress
According to “Revel for the Struggle for Democracy, 2018 Elections and Updates Edition,” the representation of women and minorities has traditionally been low in Congress. While women make up around half of the U.S. population, they are underrepresented in Congress, having only a tiny percentage of its membership. Also, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and lesbians or open gays are underrepresented in Congress concerning their proportion in the overall population (Edward & Benjamin, 2018).
Nature of Representation
The underrepresentation of certain groups in Congress raises some pertinent questions about the nature of representation in the United States. The composition of Congress likely does not represent the full diversity and demographics of the American population. Such a disproportionate relationship between the legislature and the constituent could undeniably blow democratic ideals of equality in representation and governance. (Center for American Women and Politics, 2022)
Reasons for underrepresentation
Many factors are associated with the underrepresentation of women and minorities in Congress. Most of the organizational factors, such as systemic biases, discriminatory practices, and historical inequalities, have prevented women and minorities from fully participating in politics and gaining power positions (Blendon & Casey, 2019). Barriers to equal representation also lie in social and cultural norms, visibility and support networks, and money’s influence in politics.
Increasing Representation
There has been a positive trend recently in increasing the representation of women and minorities in Congress. This can be associated with many factors, such as grassroots movements, political mobilization, increasing attention to social justice issues, and a growing demand for diversity and inclusivity within political institutions (Schaeffer, 2023). The advancement of women and minority candidates has also increased the diversity of the population throughout Congress and the supportive campaigns and voter base they bring.
Impact on Congress’s Business
The underrepresentation of women and minorities in Congress carries some implications for the process of legislation and policy-making. If some of the viewpoints and experiences are proportionately represented, the interests of some communities will then be noticed or otherwise sidestepped (Schaeffer, 2023). This could result in a lack of depth in understanding varied societal issues, resulting in biased decision-making and policies that do not fully cater to the needs of all constituencies.
Strategies for Equal Representation
There are three strategies to address the issue of women and minorities in Congress. First are political education, leadership training, and mentorship programs that aim to motivate members of underrepresented groups to become interested in politics and develop careers in public services. Second, support for campaign finance reforms, whose ultimate goal is to diminish the role of money in politics, could play a significant part in leveling the playing field so that candidates from diverse backgrounds have a genuine opportunity to win (Schaeffer, 2023). Finally, the critical swing toward a more representative Congress feeds back into a culture of political parties to become more inclusive and diverse and voter turnout.
Conclusion
The unequal representation of women and minorities in Congress is one issue that points to these perennial challenges. The recognition of the factors contributing to this underrepresentation and the potential consequences to be spelled out for legislative business are the essence of the struggle to attain equal representation. In general, it would mean that society would have to work towards political participation, reform of the campaign finance process, and promoting inclusiveness, with the ultimate goal being a more equitable and representative Congress. In a nutshell, it would mean that the nation should have lived up to the values of democratic and representative governance.
References
Blendon, R. J., & Casey, L. S. (2019). Discrimination in the United States: Perspectives for the Future Health Services Research, 54 (S2), 1467–1471. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13218
Center for American Women and Politics. (2022). Women in the U.S. Congress 2022. Cawp.rutgers.edu. https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/levels-office/congress/women-us-congress-2022
Edward, G., & Benjamin, P. (2018). Revel for the Struggle for Democracy, 2018 Elections and Updates Edition — Access Card – Greenberg, Edward S; Page, Benjamin I: 9780135202760 – AbeBooks. Www.abebooks.co.uk. https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780135202760/Struggle-Democracy-2018-Elections-Updates-0135202760/plp
Schaeffer, K. (2023, February 7). The Changing Face of Congress in 8 Charts. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/07/the-changing-face-of-congress/
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