Those conditions still exist today in a 21st century kind of way. People surrender their autonomy to a massive national political unit, but even the smallest sub units within that nation - we divide it into states - have at least some say in national politics.

If a guy like Bernie can so energize the coasts that everyone votes, but energizes the rest of the country in an equal but opposite direction, well, that costs the bern, unless he can get a few of those strategic non-coastal places on board. Look at O's wins - the nation geographically still looks like a mass of red bordered by blues, with a few blue spots in between. And that still wins for the dems - but its not just about absolute numbers of voters - the winner has to also appeal to various regional concerns, at least enough.

Recently I was in a debate with a Trumpie (I think) who seemed to indicate that countries around the world should simply liquidate if they are not politically homogeneous. I think that's absurd in today's world and would lead us back to the dark ages of tribalism - making our real world look like our virtual one. The Constitution gave us an ingenuous way to allow for the minority to have a voice. I'd argue that is at least as important today as it was in 1789.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 02/18/2020 12:11PM]