James Madison along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote the Federalist papers. The Federalist papers draft and are the framework for the governmental design for the states and why this government was the ideal way to govern the United States of America. The Federalist No. X and the Federalist No. LI analyze why the government was designed that way and how the government must work in order to perform a job in unison with the public. In the Federalist No. X Madison explains the reason behind the structure of the government, that is human nature, factions and the unequal distribution of property. While in the Federalist No. LI Hamilton and Madison come together to define the structure of the government and why it works with the control …show more content…
of factions. Also, their reason as to why a republic is better than a democracy. As defined by James Madison, a faction is “a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interest of the community.” (Federalist, 62). In other words, a faction is a group of citizens who come together for a common interest to advance the rights and the public good. There are two ways to remove the wrongdoing of factions: the first is to destroy the liberty, but that is worse than the actual trouble of a faction. The second, is by giving everyone the same ideas, passions, interest and ambitions. However, that is beyond impossible, because every citizen has different needs, different ambition, many different faculties and human nature is fallible. Nonetheless, the most important source of faction, as Madison puts it, is the unequal distribution of property. Madison wrote “But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property.” (Federalist, 64). In order to understand the unequal distribution of property, we must take a closer look at faculties and how they work. Faculties are judgements, perceptions, discrimination, taste, abilities, talents, choices, basically things that are innate in a person. In addition, factions connect with reasoning, some people reason well and others not so much, some make mistakes in certain areas and others make mistakes in other areas. As a result, we have a diversity of faculties and in this diversity, we find people who get employed, work, make a business and get rewarded with money which leads to property. However, the reward is not the same which is what Madison means of unequal distribution of property; citizens buy property of different types and different range of wealth which is inevitable in a market economy. Therefore, those with the best and brightest faculties will yield the more rewards and as a result more property, all eminent by human nature. The most numerous factions is the most powerful one and the one most likely to triumph overruling the minority factions. Since we can’t have the majority oppressing the minority, in dealing with this dispute Madison suggests a republic where people will represent other people and their needs, normally they will be the elites, who will be wise, patriotic, noble, those who love justice and will always look out for the public good. Madison also adds that there needs to be a proportion of representatives to the amount of citizens he is representing, because for example of there is too many people per representative he will be too little acquainted with their needs. Controlling the factions is simple as Madison puts it, since one can’t control them then encourage them. He wrote “the influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame wishing their particular states, but will be unable to spread a general conflagrations through the other states.” (Federalist, 70). Due to factions being a natural human outcome they should encourage the factions to believe and fight for their needs instead of oppressing them, because the more factions the better. That way it will be difficult for any one faction in particular to realize its potential power or for one faction to rule them all. Factions must be encouraged to disagree, to spread out the majority and expand the sphere so each faction keeps the other in check. To speak of a check is to speak of the Federalist No. LI. This article was the description of the design of government to control factions, since one cannot only rely on factions controlling one another. Hamilton and Madison agree that this government is essential to the preservations of liberty. As he wrote “ In order to lay due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of the government, which to a certain extent is admired on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty…” (Federalist, 353). In order to ensure the liberty through the government, no one branch should be more powerful than the other and all should have some form of check for each other. Hamilton and Madison believed that each department of the government must be delegated some measure and personal motive for “ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” (Federalist, 354). Since the need for checks is a direct result of the ambition of human man the authors believe that the ideal would be to take human nature and put it in the system so it last, almost as an extension of humanity. Madison writes “… where the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other— that the private interest of every individual may be a sentinel over the public rights.” (Federalist, 355). In other words, if each branch is checking each other and factions are checking each other we have the right to public goods. The partition of powers or commonly known nowadays as the separation of powers is broken down by the Legislative branch, which is the Legislative branch, The Congress, they are responsible for enacting the laws of the state and allocating money. The Executive branch, or the President, is accountable for implementing and administering the public policy enacted by the legislative branch. Lastly, the Judicial branch, that is the Supreme Court, they are responsible for interpreting the constitution and the laws enacted by Congress. To further the partition of power Congress is additionally broken down into a bicameral legislature, two branches, the House of Representative, the democratic side and the Senate, the aristocracy. Madison wrote “The remedy for this inconvenience is to divide the legislature into different branches: and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions…” (Federalist, 355). The House of Representatives is a representative elected for a two year term who speaks for a particular congressional district, they are chosen by the people. The Senate is two representatives per state, regardless of population and they are appointed by state legislators. The Executive branch, meaning the President is elected by the electoral college, which is an elector in each state. Lastly, the Supreme Court is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Each branch of the government has a check on the other never letting one get too big or powerful and have the states check each other as well. These branches come together with their measure and personal motives with the many different factions checking each other, not letting one realize its power to oppress the other, they form more security and higher and greater liberty. Hamilton but in particularly Madison argue that a Republic is better than a Democracy.
A republic, according to Madison is a country ruled by the people not a king, what Madison called a “populat government.” A popular government is a for of democratic government pulled by the people, but historically the democratic system has had some stability issues. As written in the Federalist No. X “The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations..” (Federalist, 62). Since we haven't dealt with the instability problem in a pure democracy, the injustice and being incompatible with the rights of property; Madison suggests a Republic especially that a republic is ideal for large states such as the United States. Madison states the two main differences in a republic and a democracy by saying “the two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic new; first the delegations of government, in the latter to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly the greater munger of citizens, and greater sphere of county, over which the latter may be extended.” (Federalist, 67). In other words, a democracy is only good when is dealing with small, intimate states, in large states which large amount of citizens a republic what one needs. A small republic is good because it can deal with more state, more interest and more faculties. Also, as previously stated in a republic there will be the elites who we can trust we our opinions, those elites will be patriotic, noble, wise and will love justice. First, making this system a compound republic, because the people surrender their power to the government and the states. Second, as a way of dealing with the majority or the ruler. He wrote “it is of great importance
in a republic to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part.” (Federalsit, 356). Essentially, having all the wills, interest, factions, and ever governmental branches undermining each other as a form of check. As a consequence the Federalist papers are exceedingly important in drafting the framework for our government. It analyzes the structure go human nature and derive to the conclusion that factions is what drives a man and essentially what will be a big part of the government itself. Factions are the things that come innate to a person, which leads to work which then leads to a reward such as money and that is the consequence of unequal distribution of property. Therefore, in order to aid the factions getting out of hand and the majority always oppressing the minority a compound republic was formed where the government is divided into three branches the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branch. Each having some form of check over the other in terms of appointment and different department all focusing on one thing to come together for the bigger picture working along with factions all this process for the essential preservation of liberty.
During the early 1800s America was still developing, trying to develop the government so it can learn to stand up on its own. Both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison played a key role in the country’s developing time, they created the idea of strict v. broad constructionism. Political parties were contradicting each other on the different point of views they had on the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson during his presidency sometimes made decisions that were based literally on the Constitution, whereas James Madison being a broad constructionist didn’t always take the Constitution literally.
There are many differences between the Democratic-Republic party and the Federalist Party. Especially in the last decade of the 18th century which is late 1700’s, early 1800’s. They have different views on foreign relations and their beliefs on the war between France and Britain, their Federal government and vision for America. Their leaders are completely different people.
The Federalist papers were for the constitution being ratified. They were written by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. They consisted of 85 articles and essays. Most of them were published between 1787 and 1788 although; the author’s names were kept a secret until 1818. Hamilton decided to sign the papers “Publius” to keep his name anonymous. Hamilton was the first to publish an essay and soon picked Madison and Jay to assist him. To their surprise, the Federalist papers influenced many of the New York people to vote for having the constitution ratified. On the contrary, the Anti-Federalist papers did not agree entirely with the new Constitution. They were written by many different authors. Although, some of the more popular Anti-Federalists were Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Sam Adams, etc. They were also 85 Anti-Federalist papers. Much like the federalist papers, they Anti-Federalists adopted the name “Brutus”.
The Federalist, No. 10, by James Madison is a clear expression of views and policies for a new government. Madison was a strong supporter and member of the Federalists whose main beliefs favored the Constitution. They also believed that the Articles of Confederation needed to be rewritten so that a new central government would control the power of the states.
Supporters of the Constitution called themselves Federalists, a name referring to a balance of power between the states and the national government. They argued for a federal system as in the Constitution. James Madison claimed that the Constitution was less dangerous that it looked because the separation of powers protected people from tyrannical abuse. The Federalists compile a group of essays, known as The Federalist Papers. In No. 51, Madison insisted that the division of powers and they system of checks an balances would protect Americans from the tyranny of centralized authority. He wrote that opposite motives among government office holders were good, and was one of the advantages of a big government with different demographics. In No. 10, he said that there was no need to fear factions, for not enough power would be given to the faction forming people; thus, they wouldn't become tyrannical. Hamilton, in No. 84, defended the Constitution with the case that the Constitution can be amended by representatives, who are there to represent the citizens' interests.
He states that the government had too many leaders and not enough followers. That the government administrated by too many people who had a different motive on running the state. In addition, Madison agreed to what Hamilton was saying. Therefore, Madison helped Hamilton settle this dilemma. “It has been seen that delinquencies in the members of the Union are its natural and necessary offspring; and that whenever they happen, the only constitutional remedy is a force, and the immediate effect of the use of it, civil war.” (Hamilton) Hamilton father explains why this would be a problem with government and predicts what might happen if it reaches to that point. “To this reasoning, it may perhaps be objected, that if any State should be disaffected to the authority of the Union, it could at any time obstruct the execution of its laws, and bring the matter to the same issue of force, with the necessity of which the opposite scheme is reproached.” (Hamilton) Both Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote the 18th and 19th Federalist paper. The 18th article spoke about contradicting the argument of anti-federalists that proposed a monarchical rule in America. Madison states that if the anti-federalist and federalist do not collaborate on the rule that they established for the people. They would become like the people in Greek history. “Instead of this obvious policy, Athens and Sparta, inflated with the victories and the glory they had acquired, became first rivals and then enemies; and did each other infinitely more mischief than they had suffered from Xerxes.” Demonstrating a jealous view of power and disorganized fashion. “Their mutual jealousies, fears, hatreds, and injuries ended in the celebrated Peloponnesian war; which itself ended in the ruin and slavery of the Athenians who had begun
In The Federalist Papers by James Madison, Madison discuses various aspects of government and how the government must be organized in order to better represent the people. In The Federalist, No. 10 Madison discusses the nature of political factions and parties and how they can affect the government and its practices. The Federalist, No. 51 discusses instead how the government being in branches helps maintain liberties and better protect the American people. The topics mentioned in The Federalist Papers continue to explain and structure our government today.
The Federalist wanted to ratify the Constitution while the Antifederalist despised the idea entirely. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay eventually compiled 85 essays as the Federalist Papers. These supporters of the Constitution believed that the checks and balances system (a system in which the different parts of an organization (such as a government) have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no part can become too powerful )would allow a strong central government to preserve states' rights. They felt that the Articles of Confederation was too weak and that they were in need for a change. The Articles of Confederation had “errors” that needed to be corrected argued the Federalist. Ratifying the Constitution lead to an improved more advanced country.
James Madison, who glorified the benefits of the system of government outlined in the Constitution, wrote the tenth essay in the Federalist Papers. In his essay, Madison advocated a republic system of government instead of a democracy because it “promises the cure for which [they are] seeking.” According to Madison, in a republic, unlike in a democracy, a “small number of citizens [are] elected by the rest.” In other words, one difference between a republic and a democracy is the fact that a republic is based on representation, while a democracy is based on the rule of the majority (mob rule). Madison favors the republic form of government because representation (republic) recognized the inalienable rights of all individuals, while democracy is only concerned with the views or needs of the majority. Therefore, in Madison’s mind, a democracy is an unsuitable government, especially for the United States; Madison thought democracy is just handing power over to the ...
...al system. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were the true authors of The Federalist Papers. They were strong advocates for the U.S Constitution and wanted to show people the flaws of the old system.
Federalism was majorly influenced by Alexander Hamilton, who was the dominant author of the Federalist Papers. Hamilton did not want to repeat the mistake that Great Britain made and believed that spreading the power to multiple sources of government, along with checks and balances would abolish tyranny. Furthermore, it would aid the people to be heard and their concerns to be resolved faster and with attention from their government. Federalism is when a nation has two sources of government instead of one, the two levels are national and state/local. Similar to many American qualities, having a federal government has its advantages and disadvantages. Three positive factors of federalism are that there is a more orderly system to dispute and
Jefferson’s beliefs in local self government created differences between himself and Alexander Hamilton which created the Federalists (Hamilton followers) and the Democrat Republican’s (Jefferson followers).
Between 1787 and 1791 the Framers of the US Constitution established a system of government upon principles that had been discussed and partially implemented in many countries over the course of several centuries, but never before in such a pure and complete design, which we call a constitutional republic. Since then, the design has often been imitated, but important principles have often been ignored in those imitations, with the result that their governments fall short of being true republics or truly constitutional. The Framers of the Constitution tried very hard to design a system that would not allow any one person or group within the government to gain too much power. Personally, I think they succeeded. In order to guard against what one of the Founding Fathers called an "excess of democracy," the Constitution was built with many ways to limit the government's power. Among these methods were separating the three branches, splitting the legislature so laws are carefully considered, and requiring members of Congress to meet certain criteria to qualify for office. The Founders did leave a few problems along with their system.
James Madison’s Federalist No 10. outlines many of the aspects that the American Government was founded on, and features that continue to be employed to this day. The primary point throughout the essay was warning our nation of the formation of factions, or party united under one goal, and how a government would be able to prevent a majority faction from assuming complete power. Madison argues that the formation of factions are the primary reason for failure within a government. The essay argues that factions must be removed or controlled in their effects in order to have an efficient, and successful government. Madison focuses his essay on how a government can control faction’s effects and then declares his thesis: “The ability of free people
Due to the immense power of our federal government, people often argue that it is too