Final answer:
The Electoral College is preferred by some because it protects the interests of smaller states and ensures that each state has a say in the presidential election, which may not be the case with a pure popular vote system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Electoral College is preferred by some over a national popular vote or a parliamentary system because it protects the interests of less populous states and regions, ensuring a degree of representation that might otherwise be overwhelmed by the larger voter pools in more populous areas. It is a system designed to balance the influence among states regardless of size, preventing what some fear could be 'tyranny of the majority' where only the interests of larger states get attention. This protection is seen as important because it preserves the federal nature of the United States, respecting the sovereignty of each state within the union.
The winner-take-all aspect of the Electoral College can lead to scenarios where a candidate wins the presidency without securing the popular vote majority, as seen in the 2000 and 2016 U.S. presidential elections. While some argue this is undemocratic, others insist it's a safeguard against extreme regionalism, ensuring a president has wide enough geographic support.
Alternatives like the direct popular vote or proportional allocation of Electoral votes are debated as potential reforms to address concerns with the current system. Advocates for the popular vote argue it more accurately reflects the will of the people, while supporters of a proportional Electoral College suggest it could balance the need for broader geographic support with the principle of direct democracy.