Essay 1. Democracy

1. Democracy is a Western concept, generally understood as the power or the rule of the people. When the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, reversing Roe v. Wade, an article in the Guardian called the ruling "a mockery of democracy". Write an essay of about 400 words to discuss the issue. Your answer should make clear what the decision means, whether you think it is undemocratic and why/why not, and how Americans can exercise democracy in this matter within the social and political reality of the US?

1. Introduction

Democracy is one of the core values of the US

Agree with the statement from The Guardian.

The overturn of Roe v. Wade is undemocratic and goes against the core value of the United States: liberty and democracy

Democracy is often touted as a f___________ A__________ v_______, generally understood as rule by the people. However, the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to ov_____ Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion, rightly drew cr_________ from outlets like The Guardian as being "a mockery of democracy." This ruling fundamentally und____________/goes against the core principles of l________ and democratic representation in the United States.

foundational American value, overturn, criticism, undermines, liberty

2. Explanation on Roe v. Wade and its implication

The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion - Individual states now have the power to ban or protect abortion.

After the overturn, many states banned abortions

Put women at a vulnerable position:

• forcing millions of women to travel long distances or seek unsafe alternatives

• increased risk of unsafe abortions, maternal mortality, and mental health complications.

• make it harder for pregnant, domestic violence victims to get an abortion

The Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization determined that the US Constitution does not c______ a r______ to a_______, which means i________ s______ now have the p________ to ban or protect abortion. Consequently, numerous states immediately i____________ b______. This places women in highly v_________ positions, f_________ millions seeking care to travel long distances, incur significant costs, or resort to u________ a________. The ruling increases risks of m__________ m_________ and m__________ c___________, while making access even harder for m____________ groups, such as victims of domestic violence.

confer, right, abortion, individual states, power, implemented bans, vulnerable, forcing, unsafe alternatives, maternal mortality, medical complications, marginalized

3. Arguing that the overturn is undemocratic

It does not represent the desire of the majority

• survey in 2024 by Pew Research Center, most of the demographic groups in the poll showed approval towards the legislation of abortion, the exception being 'White evangelical Protestant' and 'Republicans/lean Republicans'

→ bias towards powerful minorities (White, Republicans)

• another survey in 2022 by Pew: 61% of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade

• statistics from Gallup have shown that the majority of respondents voted for the legalisation of abortion under certain circumstances,

Deprive women of their rights to control their body→ limit their autonomy → Whether to take abortion or not is a personal and private decision on their bodies → should not be intervened → banning that meaning not fully recognise the personal rights of women → inequality .

The decision is u____________ primarily because it de______ the w______ of the m______. A functional democracy requires r____________ to its citizens. According to a 2____ Pew Research Center survey, 6___% of Americans o_________ o__________ Roe v. Wade. Gallup polling has similarly consistently shown that the majority of respondents favored legal abortion under certain circumstances. A 2024 Pew poll indicated that support for legal abortion is broad across most demographics, with opposition concentrated heavily among specific groups like White evangelical Protestants and Republicans. The ruling effectively elevated the preferences of powerful political minorities over the demonstrated majority will. Furthermore, depriving women of agency over deeply personal, private medical decisions limits their bodily autonomy and fosters significant gender inequality.

This ruling is, as the article in the Guardian called, a “mockery of democracy" since it was made by a group of j______ , hence, n ____ r_______ the opinion of the majority. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in March 2022, only 35% of the participants wanted to see the Supreme Court overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision concerning abortion while 58% of them did not want to. The w____ the r______ was m______ also shows a l_____ of d__________. All ___ j_______ in the Supreme Court were appointed by the Pr_______ , not by the public, and have t________ for their w_______ l______, making it impossible to remove them. Furthermore, their duties are just to ch______ and b_______ and in_______ what has already been written in the Constitution, hence, c______ re_________ the op________ of the people. This shows no sign of representation but an un__________ s______ b____ d______. 

undemocratic, defies, will, majority, responsiveness, 2022, 61, opposed, overturning, justices, not reflecting, way, ruling, made, lack, democracy, 9 justices, president, tenure, whole life, check, balance, interpret, cannot represent, opinions, undemocratic system by design

4. Actions that American people can take

• Protesting

• Vote for candidates who support abortion rights.

• Contact their elected officials and let them know that they support abortion rights.

• Voting against the policy

Democratic rights are a core American value, many times in history, people have organized _______ fighting for their voting rights and other rights. Today, Americans can exercise democracy in this matter in a similar way which is by holding a rally and getting involved in social organizations and action groups to seek support and help._______ ______, newspapers and radio can also be taken advantage of to reflect people's views and draw national _______ to the issue. Additionally, the public can exercise their democratic rights by electing _____ _____________who hold similar views to them on abortion. Still, vigorous efforts are exerted to legally challenge segregation stemming from the ruling. 

protests, Social media, attention, new representatives

5. Conclusion

• Reaffirm the stance

• Showing disregard to the will of the majority; strengthen gender inequalities

• American should take any action to show their disapproval of the decision

Ultimately, by disregarding the clear will of the majority and strengthening g_______ i________, the overturn of Roe v. Wade was a significant f________ of d__________ pr________. Americans must now use every democratic tool available to de_________ their d_________ and work toward res_________ these rights.

gender inequalities, failure, democratic principles, demonstrate, disapproval, restoring