Why is Congress like this? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 30, 2026 · 28 MIN

Why is Congress like this?

from Civics 101 · host NHPR

Today in our continued exploration of why the US is the way it is, we get to Article I. Why did the framers design Congress the way they did? Why did the small states come out so far ahead? And what, potentially, would James Madison think if he saw its operation in 2026? To help us navigate the thoughts of men long-dead, we talk to Madison scholar Jack Rakove. He shares his insights on representation, the electoral college, and much more. Click here to listen to our episode on the Articles of Confederation, our shaggy dog of a first draft of government! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 30, 2026

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Why is Congress like this?

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