Final answer:
The framers of the Constitution created the Electoral College instead of direct popular elections to prevent the election process from being swayed by potentially uninformed or transient impulses of the public.
It aimed to balance power and avoid concentrating authority in the hands of the voters or the legislature. However, over time, the Electoral College became more influenced by political leaders and resulted in the House of Representatives choosing the president in certain cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The framers of the Constitution created the Electoral College instead of having direct popular elections for the president because they wanted to ensure that the election process would not be influenced solely by the general electorate. The Electoral College was seen as a way to provide a buffer and prevent the election from being swayed by popular but potentially uninformed or transient impulses of the public.
The creation of the Electoral College also aimed to balance power and avoid the concentration of authority in the hands of the voters or the legislature.
As the reading states, 'Some of the founders wanted to select a president by popular vote, but others did not want to put that much power into the hands of the voters.
Others believed that Congress should select the president, but then, what would happen to the separation of powers and checks and balances?' Therefore, the framers compromised by establishing a special body of electors to be selected by the states.
Ultimately, the Electoral College was designed to ensure a deliberative process that would involve both the will of the people and the states' interests in choosing the president, but it did not function exactly as intended.
Over time, political factions developed, and the Electoral College became more influenced by political leaders advocating for specific candidates. It led to situations where the president was ultimately chosen by the House of Representatives rather than the electors.