Discussion Of Federalist Paper 10 By James Madison

James Madison’s Federalist 10 was written amid criticisms that a republican form of government had never been successful on a large scale. Madison’s argument was that a well-constructed union could control factions. He argued that in order to control factions from their causes, we would need to either give up liberty or free thought. Since we cannot infringe upon these two natural rights, we must move on to controlling the effects. A republic, Madison argues, would be able to do this because the people choose the representatives, and they choose representatives who they feel best represent their opinions.

Perhaps the most famous Federalist paper, Federalist 10, starts off by saying that one of the biggest arguments that favors the Constitution is that it creates a government suited to minimize the harm caused by factions. Faction, in this case, is defined as a group of people whether a minority or majority based on class, race, and profession that all share a common interest. It was inevitable that factions would occur and perhaps the defining characteristic was the unequal distribution of property. This would ultimately lead the poor without property to become the majority in a “tyranny of the masses.” Madison believed that there were two solutions in preventing majority factions, 1) Remover the causes, and 2) Control the effects.

The Federalist Papers The Federalist papers consists of 85 essays written in the late 1780s by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. The three authors published it in New York newspapers under the name “Publius” to persuade its citizens to ratify the new U.S constitution. These essays argued in support for the ratification of the new U.S constitution by __________________________________. There are 3 well known federalist papers which are no. 10, no. 45 and no. 51.

“The Federalist,” written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the surname ‘Publius,’ attempts to convince the American people that a republican government would be beneficial to both the people and the United States as a whole. Since ‘Publius’ is, in actuality, three different people, one would expect to find some discrepancies between authors. However, in analyzing “The Federalist,” Madison and Hamilton present a unified front – in order to control the effects of factions, they agree that a government should be able to protect its constituents from their misguided passions, that virtual representation is necessary, and that checks and balances among the divided powers of the government are vital. Factions are a source

A republic can be viewed as a representative democracy. By definition a republic the power of the power of the state is held by the elected representatives of the populus. By creating a republic Madison believe that “The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States (Madison, 1787).” It would follow that if the faction was to spread to be recognized and held by the majority of the states, then it could be considered the will of the people. In Madison’s conclusion of The Federalist #10 he affirms his belief in the formation of a republic for the Union.

At this time colonists and specifically federalists had come to a common conclusion. This was that the formation of factions could lead to the rise and consolidation of a single party with an overwhelming influence. This concern was expressed in Federalist Paper 10 and Madison believed that having a large population could act as a preventative measure to the negative effects this could be brought upon the country. Federalist Paper 10 would be one of the many talking points that would result in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and system of

10 in an attempt to ratify the Constitution, the new form of government for the United States. In the Federalist Paper No. 10, Madison analyzed the way to deal with facts, made a comparison between a pure democracy and a republic, and made another comparison on whether a small government or a large government would be the best for America. He informed the people that there is not a way to completely get rid of factions, but there are ways to deal with them. One great way to deal with factions is by having a government that knows how to control and deal with their effects. Madison believes that a republic can do that job better than a democracy, because a democracy is a small society of people who can not admit there is a cure to factions.

The Federalist No 46, written by James Madison, is one of the most critical essays in the Federalist Papers. This essay was published on January 29, 1788, in response to anti-federal concerns about the new draft constitution. Madison argues that the powers of the new constitution are limited and that the states retain sovereignty. Though it was never fully explained. Madison also says the new constitution will protect states from encroachment or usurpation of their power.

10 shows the dangers a total democracy can create and how harmful “factions” can be. James Madison defined factions as: By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community. (Federalist No. 10) It showed the benefits of republic versus a democracy, displaying that with such a large country with so many citizens and varying opinions that an elected official chosen by the people were best to make decisions within the government. All things considered, Federalist No. 10 was important to show the people the great differences in both types of government and help persuade people in ratification.

Federalist #10 Synthesis and Analysis The article titled "Federalist 10" by James Madison means to me that equality means everything. James Madison is trying to say in this article that you cannot dodge factions; they are going to be in every society because different people have different options, but what you can fix is making sure everyone is balanced. The balance will help one side not get all the power; consequently, the other side barely gets any. " Federalist 10" can be used in different ways besides government matters.

In the case of taxation, the more powerful of the two parties would have the opportunity to impose higher taxes on the minority, thus, saving themselves money. Madison firmly believed that the constitution had the ability to solve the problems created by factions. Madison envisioned a large republic that would make it difficult for corrupt candidates to get elected. Madison expressed this by stating, In the next place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more difficult for unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people being more free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most attractive merit and the most diffusive and established characters.

1.) What does Madison mean by the term “Faction”? What is a modern term we would use today? Madison uses the term faction to refer to groups of individuals arguing not for the rights or good of the community as a whole, but rather that which would benefit those who hold similar positions or interests. Different factions represent different ideas, leading to conflict and debate.

Throughout Federalist 10, Madison warned his audience of the dangers of factions. Madison believed that as long as people espoused differing opinions, came from different backgrounds, and especially, as long as there was an unequal distribution of property, people would form factions with like-minded individuals whose ideologies they shared. This grouping of people of America, in his opinion, would lead to great violence in the country that could harm the nation’s wellbeing. In order to remedy this problem, in which he viewed unequal distribution of property as the main culprit, Madison decided that setting up a Republic which would be composed of only the most qualified candidates and would be composed of a multitude of factions would be

James Madison’s main ideas in Federalist 10 were about factions and how to remove the causes but also control the effects. He described a faction as “By a faction, I understand a number if 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 interests of the community (“The Federalist #10).” Madison was correct in his statements about removing the causes and controlling the effects of factions. During the time Federalist 10 was written the Federalists were using the papers to help convince the states to ratify the Constitution.

In the Federalist Paper number 51, Madison writes to the people of New York to explain that it is necessary for a separation of powers between the departments of the government. Madison, with the help of Hamilton, wrote the Federalist Papers to explain sections of the Constitution. In Federalist Paper number 51, Madison explains that the government does not have a strong structure on the outside, but creating a firm structure within the government could be a solution. The firmer structure would be the separation of powers. In order for the people to get a better idea and make a more accurate judgement about the separation of powers, Madison shares observations and puts them into simpler terms.