James Madison's View of Factionalism
comparative Essay
1339 words
Partisanship is a natural phenomenon for Human beings; we seek out, long for, and align ourselves with others who share our views. Through these people, we polish our ideas and gain courage from the knowledge that we are not alone in our viewpoint. Factions give breadth, depth, and volume to our individual voice. James Madison, the author of the Federalist #10 underlined the causes of factions, the dangers factions can pose, and solutions to the problem.
. Factions can be present in many different settings in society. They can be a passion for different opinions on religions, government, or war. Madison claims that "the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever been formed distinct interests in society." The modern government includes factions as necessary operations, and the regulation of these interest groups form the foremost assignment of legislation.
The dangers of faction can somewhat outweigh the good. The framers of the American Constitution feared the power that could possibly come about by organized interest groups. Madison wrote "The public good is disregarded in the conflict of rival factions
citizens
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." However, the framers believed that interest groups thrived because of freedom, the same privilege that Americans utilize to express their views. Madison saw direct democracy as a danger to individual rights and advocated a representative democracy to protect individual liberty, and the general public from the effects of such inequality in society. Madison says "A pure democracy can admit no cure for the mischief's of faction. A common passion or interest will be felt by a majority
Hence it is, that democracies have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths."
Madison proposes that there are two methods in which the mischiefs of faction can be cured, one by removing the causes of factions, or the other by controlling its effects. By removing the causes of factions, the liberty that is essential to its existence is destroyed. Madison states that "Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the iraqi government is the most dominant faction in the war, although it is not much of a government. the physical power of the government overshadows the moral aspect.
- Compares the house of representatives and the senate, arguing that the senate is a place of concurrent majorities.
- Explains that factions give breadth, depth, and volume to one's individual voice. the framers of the american constitution feared the power that could come about by organized interest groups.
- Explains that interest groups can be the underlying basis of most factions in modern civilization. they compete with each other for power in government policy.
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- Examples Of The Federalist Paper And Government Todayanalytical essayThe Federalist, No.10 explains the nature of factions within the government and how they can harm the implementation of proper policies and
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how madison's the federalist papers explains various aspects of government and how it must be organized to better represent the people. madison discusses the nature of political factions and parties.
- Analyzes how madison states that a well-constructed union must control and break apart factions that may manipulate or prevent the passing of proper legislature or government controls.
- Analyzes how madison states that latent causes of faction are sown in the nature of man, and that the government must be fit to handle them and keep them from gaining control over legislature.
- Analyzes how madison explains the purpose of having multiple branches of government and how it protects the people.
- Analyzes how madison's federalists papers inspire and explain our government today and how it functions.
- Analyzes how madison's federalist papers have an influence on our government and how it functions today.
1034 wordsRead More - Pluralismanalytical essayIn Federalist No. 10, James Madison stresses that “measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority.” Madison philosophized that a large republic, composed of numerous factions capable of competing with each other and the majority must exist in order to avoid tyranny of majority rule.# When Federalist No. 10 was published, the concept of pluralism was not widely used. However, the political theory that is the foundation for United States government was the influential force behind pluralism and its doctrines.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that many critics believe that faction representation is biased in favor of wealthy corporations and affluent individuals. schattschneider claims that the heavenly chorus sings with an upper-class accent.
- Analyzes how madison and the other founding fathers envisioned a country with political freedom and opportunity for every citizen. they hoped that america would avoid tyranny brought by an overwhelming majority.
- Analyzes how texas republican larry combest criticizes the bush administration for turning down the republican farm bill.
- Explains the concept of pluralism in federalist no. 10, which focuses on shared power among interest groups and competing factions.
- Analyzes how the bush administration felt that not enough money would be spent on the environment. pluralism is a large aspect of the united states' political system.
- Cites becker, elizabeth, evans, graham, hewnham, jeffrey, kernell, samuel, and gary c. jacobson, the logic of american politics.
1378 wordsRead More - Federalist #10analytical essayTo Madison, there are only two ways to control a faction: one, to remove its causes and the second to control its effects. The first is impossible. There are only two ways to remove the causes of a faction: destroy liberty or give every citizen the same opinions, passions, and interests. Destroying liberty is a "cure worse then the disease itself," and the second is impracticable. The causes of factions are thus part of the nature of man and we must deal with their effects and accept their existence.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that madison's federalist paper argues that the constitution establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by factions.
- Explains that both supporters and opponents of the plan are concerned with the political instability produced by rival factions.
- Explains that factions are inevitable due to the unequal distribution of property. men of greater ability and talent possess more property than those of lesser ability.
- Explains madison's view that there are only two ways to control a faction: destroy liberty or give every citizen the same opinions, passions, and interests.
- Explains that direct democracies cannot control factious conflicts because the strongest and largest faction dominates, and there is no way to protect weak factions against an obnoxious individual or a strong majority.
- Argues that madison hopes that the men elected to office will be wise and good men the best of america. theoretically, those who govern should be the least likely to sacrifice the public good to temporary condition.
- Opines that in large republics, factions will be numerous, but weaker than in small, direct democracies where it is easier to consolidate their strength.
- Explains that the constitution's immediate object is to bring the present thirteen states into a secure union. the states farthest from the center of the country will be most endangered by foreign countries.
- Analyzes how madison concludes that he presents thee previous arguments to convince those who will not listen to those 'prophets of gloom' who say that the proposed government is unworkable.
935 wordsRead More - James Madison’s Federalist Papers' Comparison of the Republic and Democatic Governementanalytical essayThe biggest threat to our country in the eyes of Madison is something phrased repetitively in his writing and that is “Factions”. A Factions is simply a small group that shares an interest which eventually will destroy our system if it can not be contained. The most difficult thing about Factions is it can not be removed completely for by doing so would eliminate the citizens’ liberty. In the words of Madison, “Liberty is to faction, as Air is to Fire”. There needs to be liberty for politics to survive and since liberty feeds the factions the problem is how can it be maintained? There will always be a group of people that share interests or opinions about a topic positive or negative that is their right. What concerns Madison is that these factions will grow and eventually poison the system.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that either democracy or republican governments are not the perfect solution. both systems have their flaws but the point is what is the best government for now and the future.
- Opines that the representative government is the best possible solution for governing a large group like the united states.
- Explains that both sides make valid arguments to bring citizens more involved in what is going on in their country, but the biggest concern for both is factions.
- Analyzes how madison's federalist paper ten teaches us that there needs to be a government where the people have more say.
690 wordsRead More - Federalist #10analytical essayIn “Federalist #10”, Madison describes the dangerous effects that factions can have on Republican government and on its people. Madison defines a faction as a group of citizens who unite under a shared cause, and work against other groups in order to achieve their means. Their means of achieving their goals may achieve adverse effects upon the rights of other citizens. Put in more modern terms, a faction could be reasonably compared to a special-interest group. The sort of faction that most endangers the liberty inherent in United States society are factions that contain a majority of the whole. The weakness of a popular government is its susceptibility to the effects of factions. However, a well-constructed Union provides numerous advantages, and its ability to break and control factions is its most important and vital to the success of the Union. Factions arise due to the nature of man to be moved by different opinions and passions. Men will be diverse in their opinions as well as their social and economic classes, and just by the mere presence of dividing classes will factions arise. By means of factions, legislative measures are often decided by an overbearing majority, with little or no regard for others who do not share their interests. Protecting against factions will protect those in the minority, and ensure that the public good is served.
In this essay, the author
- Explains madison's definition of a faction, which entails working against other groups to achieve their goals. a well-constructed union provides numerous advantages, and its ability to break and control factions is vital to the success of the union.
- Argues that madison is adamant about the dangers of pure democracy and the negatives it poses when faced by factions.
- Explains that a pure democracy is better-suited to be extended over the "greater sphere of country". madison holds that there are two options in curing the effects of factions.
- Explains that madison proposes that the effects of factions must be controlled, and the best way to do this is to create a large republic.
870 wordsRead More - Critical Analysis Of James Madison's Federalist No. 51analytical essayMadison was very concerned about the negative effects of factions: “[a]mong the numerous advantages promised by a well-constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction” (Federalist No. 10). In the most widely-read of the Federalist papers, Madison states that one of the strongest arguments in favor of the Constitution is the fact that, through a system of checks and balances, it
In this essay, the author
- Explains james madison's concept of "compound republic" in which two distinct governments (national and state) are further subdivided into separate departments.
- Analyzes how madison was concerned about the negative effects of factions, stating that the constitution establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by them.
- Explains that factions are so pervasive that many americans are disillusioned with all politicians and blame government for many problems. the two levels of government within the new country, plus the tri-partite balancing system, effectively manages and more or less equalizes the power
- Opines that the causes of factions are part of human nature and we must deal with their effects and accept their existence. madison wanted a representative form of government, in which the many elect the few who govern.
- Argues that madison hoped that the men elected to office would be wise and good men seeking the best for the new country.
- Analyzes how madison sees the immediate objective of the constitution as bringing the present thirteen states into a secure union.
- Analyzes how madison concludes that he is confident that the public will not listen to those "prophets of doom" who say the proposed government is unworkable.
- Opines that james madison's "compound republic," with its "double security" for the "rights of the people, has survived for over 200 years.
973 wordsRead More - Dbq Alien And Sedition Actsanalytical essayIn the beginnings of the United States there was a unity called Federalism. Although legislators had serious differences of opinions, political unity was considered absolutely essential for the stability of the nation; factions. If others were to enter in to this great country they should also become intertwined in our "ways". This opinion is seen in President George Washington's' letter to John Adams. He stated that people coming into our government should be "...Assimilated to our customs, measures and laws.become one people". But he also said "they retain the Language, habits and principle (good or bad) which they bring with them" They could not only keep there religions and other customs; but have a freedom of their pursuit of happiness: first amendment right; something that was violated in the Alien and Sedition Acts. Public perceptions of factions were not related to British excesses and thought to be "the moral diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished". James Madison wrote in the most popular Federalist Paper number ten where he described his definition of a faction "by a faction, I understand a number of citize...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the alien and sedition acts were not merely intended for immigrants who spoke out against the government but more to detain the democratic - republican party.
- Explains that in the beginnings of the united states there was a unity called federalism.
- Analyzes how hamilton pushed for the bank of the president, a navy, funding and excise taxes, and, in foreign policy, neutrality that was sympathetic to british interest and france.
- Opines that hamilton's influence produced great outlines of his projects by the votes of persons who had swallowed his bait, laying themselves out to profit his plans.
- Explains that the french and english conflict caused many problems with america's political system, including the "order of council" and "milan decree".
- Analyzes how the federalist jumped on the idea of stricter laws on treason, and ran with it under the guise of pleasing america.
- Explains that the republican papers were full of blasphemy against the federalist, hence the sedition acts were needed to shut them down.
1488 wordsRead More - Bill of Rights To Protect From Tyrannyanalytical essaySupporters 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the new born nation was divided into two political sides, the federalists and the anti-federalists, over the ratification of the constitution.
- Analyzes how the ratification of the new constitution sparked a national debate. people expected the convention to amend the articles of confederation, fearing regressing back into tyranny.
- Analyzes how the federalists argued for a federal system as in the constitution. madison claimed that the separation of powers protected people from tyrannical abuse.
- Explains that the anti-federalists were weary of placing great power in a single point of execution because it would go against the idealistic point.
- Explains that the anti-federalists' demand for a bill of rights stemmed from their fear of strong central government. the first ten amendments to the constitution comprised the bill of rights.
- Explains that the constitution was ratified only after the bill of rights was promised to the people.
768 wordsRead More - Madison vs. Marshallanalytical essayIn Madison’s work of Federalist No. 10, he identifies factions were a problem. He views them as “a dangerous vice”, but at the same time saw factions as a necessary evil. He mentions that “The regulation of these various and interfering interest forms the principal task of modern legislation; and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of government.” Here Madison states that factions, opposed in spirit to democratic ideals, spreading “unsteadiness and injustice” which are actually necessary for the function of a representative government. Throughout his paper, Madison explains how pure democracy wouldn’t be able to work, because it had “no cure for the mischief of faction.” He believed that this type of government will give so much power to the majority that it was doomed to fail. He sounded very confident that the new constitution would work. He believed of having a representative and a republic system. He had no doubt in mind that new constitution would be the end of the states embarrassment to the world. Madison saw democracy not as an ideal but something that could be modified to be fitted.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that madison and marshall's points of view differed from one another, and that the political landscape was different.
- Analyzes how madison identifies factions as a problem in federalist no. 10. he believes that pure democracy wouldn't work because it had no cure for the mischief of faction.
- Opines that marshall was erroneous by not accepting the constitutional celebration.
640 wordsRead More - Factions and the Constitutionanalytical essayIn Madison's Federalist 10, it is evident that he was not in favor of the formation of factions. He states, "…The public good is often disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties…" Madison made the point that the dangers of factions can only be limited by controlling its effects. He recognized that in order to abolish political parties from the government completely, liberty would have to be abolished or limited as well. For this reason, the government had to accept political parties, but it did not have to incorporate them into being a major part of the government. He says that the inclination to form factions is inherent, however the parties effectiveness can be regulated. If the party is not majority than it can be controlled by majority vote. Madison believed that in the government established by the Constitution, political parties were to be tolerated and checked by the government, however the parties were never to control the government. Madison was absolutely convinced that parties were unhealthy to the government, but his basic point was to control parties as to prevent them from being dangerous.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that while the constitution does not support factions, it cannot abolish them because it was designed to protect the liberties of the citizens.
- Analyzes how madison's federalist 10 argues that the dangers of factions can only be limited by controlling their effects.
- Analyzes how schattschneider disagreed with madison's view that political parties were destructive to government and should be abolished. the constitution is both pro- and anti-party at the same time.
- Opines that the establishment of political parties has been a positive aspect of american political culture.
419 wordsRead More - Unequal Distribution Of Property And Factionsanalytical essayNext, Madison explains the reasons why unequal distribution of property leads to factions. Under the liberal society, people can freely practice their own faculties and experiment of life. Because people make decisions based on their reasoning and self-interest, they will focus on what is beneficial to them. When a group of people come together because they have the same interest, it becomes a faction. According to Madison’s writing “By a faction, I understand 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… (Page 63)” He believes the unequal distribution of property will divide people into different group and eventually lead citizens to factions. Moreover, because faction is made by people who hold sim...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how madison explains the link between unequal distribution of property and factions. he states people are born with different talents, attitudes, and physical/mental powers.
- Analyzes how madison explains the reasons why unequal distribution of property leads to factions in a liberal society.
- Proposes how a government should be formed to control faction's harm to avoid mischief in government and promote public good.
- Explains madison's reasons for using republic government to regulate the violence of faction. the first reason is that republic has more efficiency to prevent the tyrant of majority.
- Analyzes how a large number of representatives provide two benefits to society: more choices to choose from, and less agreement in factions.
- Explains madison's suggestion that the u.s. government should use the model of separation of powers to prevent one branch being more powerful than others.
- Explains that ambition is human nature and cannot be changed. madison suggests the government should convert ambition in a good way to prevent abuse of power.
- Explains that the constitution separates congress into the house and senate, which provides internal checks on legislative branch. professor al schendan explained these structures as necessary for liberty.
- Concludes that madison thinks the human nature is ambitious, and the fixed outcome of human ambitions is people create factions to promote their own interests.
1079 wordsRead More - The Dangers Of Factionalism In Canadaanalytical essayIn Federalist Paper Number 10, Madison sees Factions as being inevitable. Humans hold differing opinions and are all living under different circumstances, and are likely to group together with those most like themselves. Some groups of people will attempt to work together to benefit themselves even if it goes against public interests and even if it infringes upon the rights of others. In the Federalist Paper Number 10, Madison feared that Factions could be detrimental to the common good and in order to minimize the effects and control the effects of Factions, the best form of government would be a large republic. According to Madison, to minimize the negative consequences of Factions, they must either be controlled or the causes of Factions must be removed. Since he describes the causes of Factions being the different interests and living conditions between individuals, it can be argued that this solution is not very feasible. It would be impossible to make sure every single person makes the same amount of money, has the same goals, and even goes through similar life experiences. The greatest source of Factions, the deepest and biggest cause of Factions, according to Madison, is the unequal distribution of property. The acquisition of property or lack of property creates class divisions the foster differing interests. Since it is not possible to
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the founding fathers and canada's founders faced many obstacles and concerns when working towards creating the best possible form of government for their respectable nations.
- Analyzes how madison sees factions as inevitable. humans hold differing opinions and are likely to group together to benefit themselves even if it goes against public interests and infringes on others' rights.
- Opines that local governments should focus on local interests without interference from the central government. this gives the two levels their own jurisdiction to best cater to their interests. the difference between the founding fathers and the canadian founders concerns exists because of how power is divided.
- Explains that the federal union expresses concern about the central government infringing on the rights of the local government, whereas the federalist papers talk abut the parties and local governments creating the division.
- Analyzes how macdonald explains that one of the causes of factionalism the united states had to worry about will not be present for canada.
- Analyzes how william henry does not think that factionalism is as big a threat as the founding fathers thought it to be. william ross fears that what was occurring with new zealand would occur in canada.
- Explains macdonald's concerns about the lack of a legislative union in canada. the founding fathers and canadian founders agree that it is best to protect as many local interests as possible.
- Explains that both the united states founding fathers and canadian founders have concerns about factionalism and how to move forward and away from confederation.
1298 wordsRead More - Factionalism in Americaanalytical essayIn discussing the problems surrounding the issue of factionalism in American society, James Madison concluded in Federalist #10, "The inference to which we are brought is that the causes of cannot be removed and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects." (Federalist Papers 1999, 75) In many ways, the nature of American politics has revolved around this question since our country's birth. What is the relationship between parties and government? Should the party serve as an intermediary between the populace and government, and how should a government respond to disparate ideas espoused by the factions inherent to a free society. This paper will discuss the political evolution that has revolved around this question, examining different "regimes" and how they attempted to reconcile the relationship between power and the corresponding role of the people. Beginning with the Federalists themselves, we will trace this evolution until we reach the contemporary period, where we find a political climate described as "interest-group liberalism." Eventually this paper will seek to determine which has been the most beneficial, and which is ultimately preferable.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the nature of american politics revolves around this question since our country's birth. the paper will examine different "regimes" and how they attempted to reconcile the relationship between power and the corresponding role of the people.
- Explains the federalists' philosophy of a centralized government after the failure of the articles of confederation.
- Explains that the federalists never foresaw that a strict two-party system would develop. they envisioned that members of government would come from different regions, and thus have vastly different interests.
- Explains that even as the federalist system was implemented, a semblance of the first party emerged. thomas jefferson's republican party served as foil to the federalists. john quincy adams was elected president.
- Analyzes how the jacksonian system corrected this, stressing partisanship as a means of motivating and energizing the electorate.
- Analyzes how the progressive party sought to rectify the problem of decentralized government. the us became more connected economically; political connectivity was necessary.
- Analyzes how the progressives gained 27% of the vote in the 1912 election. woodrow wilson's democrats recognized this, and would present a tempered form of progressivism.
- Explains that the wilsonian system was ineffective because of a split between the southern and progressive wings of the democrat party.
- Analyzes how roosevelt's presidency saw a drastic change in the electorate and legislative branches. roosevelt stressed constitutional rights and tried to "localize" the executive branch.
- Analyzes the rise of "interest-group liberalism," a political pattern that gradually developed in response to rooseveltian politics.
- Explains that the federalists sought to temper faction, but did not account for the emergence of political parties. the wilsonians tried to strike a balance between progressivism and jacksonian approaches to democracy.
- Analyzes how the wilsonian system struck the largest balance between centralized and decentralized politics. the wilsonians realized that progressive policy was necessary to the american political climate.
1750 wordsRead More - Influence of the Founding Fathersopinion essayIn the Federalist Papers, there was a great concern for Factions. Factions are a political group that has one single major aim. They can be very powerful; which could be a positive and a negative thing depending on the goal they are trying to achieve. A fear that factions could actually control the government made the founding fathers uneasy. The Constitution did not support factions but could not abolish them either, because it would go against the liberty of citizens. Madison also did not support factions as he states in Federalist 10 that “The public good is often disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties”. Either way factions had to stay because abolishing factions meant abolishing liberty.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the federalist papers were important building blocks that helped us become the great nation that we are now.
- Explains that in the federalist papers, there was a great concern for factions. a fear that factions could actually control the government made the founding fathers uneasy.
- Explains that the founding fathers would not see a problem with factions, since now we have strong central government.
- Explains that the constitution urged for a division of power, first between the state government and the federal government, and also between its three branches.
- Opines that checks and balances are still applicable and in effect today. the system allowed each of the three sections to have a say in each other's ability to exercise and authority.
- Explains that the three-fifths compromise was an agreement between southern and northern states made during 1787, during which the united states was established.
- Explains that the three-fifths compromise was lifted in 1865 right after the american civil war. america's greatest achievement was the abolishing slavery.
- Analyzes how madison and hamilton talked about how important energy is in a good government. an energetic government protects the community, the country, and private property.
- Opines that even though some ideas the founding fathers fabricated were not in effect today, they helped america grow the way it is now.
977 wordsRead More - Belief Of Faction Summaryanalytical essayJames Madison’s argument on “mischief of faction” is based upon groups within interest groups. He argues that as interest groups are forming and fighting politically for their beliefs and interest, factions within those interest groups will form, and fight for slightly different beliefs. Creating an atmosphere in which interest groups are fighting within their group against other interest groups. Thus balancing out interest groups fight, competing for the best interests for all people and groups involved. E.E Schattschneider argues that “upper class bias” is a more predominant idea when it comes to interest groups. He believes that regardless of the size of the group or what the interest group represents, people with money will have the biggest
In this essay, the author
- Argues that james madison's argument on "mischief of faction" is based upon groups within interest groups. schattschneider believes that people with money will have the biggest influence on politics.
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