Federalist #10 – Flashcards

(1787) written by James Madison, who argues one of the best ways to check the power of faction is to create a republican form of government

Factions pose one of the greatest threats to popular government. Fear of the masses (I.e. uprising of Shay's Rebellion)

Lack of concern for the "public good," disregard of the rights of the minority, & failure to preserve citizens' personal liberties

A group of citizens united in an interest that negatively affects the interests of the community. Such factions must be guarded against the gov

In a successful gov, must either remove the cause of the factions or find a way to control/mediate disparate views

Destroying liberty necessary for factions to survive & creating a citizenry united by common option (unsatisfactory methods)

Ultimately, impossible to control factions.

People have inherent and natural divisions - many of which are rooted in the division of property. Necessary to the survival of society.

Eliminating the existence of a majority, or preventing majorities from carrying out acts of oppression. Neither moral nor religious motives control the will of the majority.

No 'pure democracy' can control factions> Republic- superior to democracy: can extend over a much larger class of citizens. Balance between number of governed and number of reps.