Answer :
Final answer:
Gerrymandering impacts national government by skewing representation in the House of Representatives, leading to disproportionate power and potential political polarization. It manipulates district lines to favor one party over another, affecting voter turnout and government dynamics at large. This practice can undermine the fundamental democratic principle of fair representation.
Explanation:
Impact of Gerrymandering on National Government
Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing legislative district boundaries to favor one political party over another. This manipulation can significantly affect representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and thus influence government at the national level.
How Gerrymandering Works
In the context of a state's congressional districts, gerrymandering allows the party in power to create districts that maximize their votes while minimizing the opposition's. For instance, if a state predominantly supports one party, legislative district lines can be drawn in a way that concentrates opposition voters into a few districts ('packing') or spreads them across many districts ('cracking') to dilute their influence.
Consequences of Gerrymandering
- Disproportionate Representation: Gerrymandering can lead to a situation where the amount of votes received by a party does not correspond to the number of seats they hold in the House, leading to a powerful minority.
- Polarization: By creating safe districts, gerrymandering often results in more extreme candidates being elected, as they cater to the more partisan base rather than moderates.
- Voter Disillusionment: When people perceive that their votes do not contribute to winning seats due to manipulated districting, it can lead to decreased voter turnout and apathy towards elections.
Overall, gerrymandering shapes not only the political landscape of a state but also the functioning of the federal legislative process by influencing the balance of power in Congress.
Learn more about Gerrymandering here:
https://brainly.com/question/36770248