Federalist 51 Summary

Summary of Federalist 51 Federalist 51 is an essay written by James Madison in support of the creation of the United States Constitution which would serve as the replacement for the faulty Articles of Confederation. Madison along with several other federalists wrote a series of anonymous essays that eventually became to be known as the Federalist Papers. The purpose of these essays was to inform the public about the suggested structure for the new government that would protect our natural rights. Madison’s paper Federalist 51 outlines a description of the foundation of the new government where each branch of the government would have its own unique and separate powers exclusive to that branch and the power to check and balance the other branches.

Exceptions to these rules are often required because of a lack of knowledge of the skills and expertise need to serve in government positions. For example the branches should strive to be independent from the other two branches. With each branch seeking to follow their own agenda rather than being controlled by others as they serve their sentences. Madison then proceeds to address the significant need of constitutional safeguards to prevent the gradual concentration of power. For example “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of man must be connected with the constitutional rights.” This provides us protection from those in the government and those who abuse their power because since we aren’t angels we will abuse power if given the chance and opportunity to. One of the greatest problems the government will face is controlling those they govern and themselves. Thus dependence on the peoples will is the government’s main source of power with other precautions. These precautions include the division of power within each branch to prevent any one branch from becoming unstoppable. However it isn’t possible to ensure that all branches receive equal power of defense. In republican governments, the legislative branch