Hello there, for your reading you will write a one page response to the following questions:
1. What did Madison mean by 'factions'? In what ways are factions present today?
2. In Federalist 51, what did Madison present as the most efficient way of governing the nation? How did his way address his thesis in No. 10?
Additionally, you will be required to write at least three solid comments on the blog over the course of the next week, either stating some observations you made while writing your response, reading the documents, or responding to a classmate's comment. Of course appropriate grammar is expected and respect your fellow classmates! Have fun...
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In Federalist Papers 10 Madison addresses ‘factions’ as groups of people whom the government must protect itself from. These groups of citizens hold interests that differ from the majority opinion of the community. Madison believed that the best way to guard against factions was to create a large republic, or representative democracy, where individual factions, or states, could not gain enough power to over dominate a higher controlling level of federal power. This was especially a concern during the late eighteenth century because the foundations of America left many wary of the situation. Although the answer to a successful country lay in a strong federal government, citizens skeptical of becoming a monarchy feared the decision. Madison understood that a small republic would only help foster factions.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, partisanship was not greatly considered during the founding of the United States of America. Madison and the other Founding Fathers did not anticipate divisions in the nation beyond federalism and anti-federalism. However, today factions have divided the country on the basis of liberal verses conservative ideas, democratic verses republican respectively. Political parties have dictated which leaders citizens support, as well as which solutions citizens agree with. This separation has forced issues and solutions into Party decisions, rather than American decisions...
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ReplyDeleteMadison, in his Federalist Paper 51 and 10, presented a representative democracy as the most efficient way to govern the United States because that system naturally checked and balanced itself. Under a large republic, the legislative branch would have the most power, and therefore must be divided into multiple sections as to guarantee that this branch did not become domineering. In Madison’s tenth paper he referenced the complaints that the United States government was too unstable, as the public good was disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties.
In Federalist #10, Madison talks about factions in our counrty and how we need to prevent them from forming. Madison defined factions as "a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority of a whole, who 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." Madison knew that a strong central government was the only way for our country to stay together. And without factions our government would be stronger and would not be divided. Even though Madison tried to not have factins form they still occur in today's society. Like for example the factions of democratic and republican and conservative and liberal.
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist #5, Madison presented that the best and most efficient way of governing th enation was to have a proper system of checks and balences between departments of the government. He did not want one branch of department to have too much power and be able to control everything else which is why he wanted to make sure each branch balenced each other. In Federalist #10, Madison complained that the government was too unstable and if factions were to form it would make the government even weaker.
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist Papers 10 Madison describes factions as a group of people who hold the same opinions on a certain topic, that may pose a threat to the majority government. Madison explained that, should a faction gain enough power it could overthrow the government. Madison also believed that the most sensible way to protect the United States from the lethal factions was to establish a representative democracy. In a representative democracy the national government has the majority of the power, which leaves little room for factions to gain too much power. This type of government would leave those not favorable to change a bit disgruntled.
ReplyDelete1. In Federalist 10, Madison wrote about the faction and how to make a government that will counter a faction for the most part. Madison’s direct definition of a faction is more or less they are people with the same beliefs but are against the beliefs of the government in which they live. By factions Madison means rioters. For example, Shays’ rebellion was a faction, one that under the articles of federation could not be stopped, but with a new government could.Today the biggest faction that is around is the Ku Klux Klan and any other racist group. These groups terrorize people for what race and belief they are just because they are ignorant.
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist 51, Madison explains how to make government more efficient than the articles of confederation. Madison states that the main way to strengthen a government is to make branches that
ReplyDeletejudicial, legislative, and executive branches. Madison also touches on the separation of the legislative branch into the Senate and the House of Representatives. He also talks about how state governments would also be broken up into branches. Madison talks about the ideal government that happens to be set up exactly how the United States government has been created.
Towards the end of Federalist 10, Madison talks about a government that would lower the chances of factions. He believes this government would be a Republic under the Constitution. This government is very similar to the one Madison has described in Federalist 51.
1. In Federalist Paper 10, when Madison spoke of factions, he was referring to the differing political parties of the time. I think factions are still prominent today when you think of republicans and democrats. They have several contradicting views, but like Madison suggested, it is not a major problem because the American government is able to account for both groups. Both republicans and democrats are represented in the government, and decisions that are made for the country are composed by politicians of both parties.
ReplyDeleteFactions can be described as groups of citizens in a community with opposing interests. In the article, Madison says factions cause instability in the government. He states that no matter what, because of the vast contrast in views and beliefs in America, there will always be factions present in American society. Madison presents two ways to help control these factions. These solutions include removing the causes of faction and controlling its effects. Madison gives two ways of removing its causes which would be to remove Liberty or by forcing every citizen to have the same beliefs and opinions. Both, he concludes are impossible and impracticable because our society could not function without Liberty and every man has the right to follow his own mind and form his own opinions. Madison also concludes that having a large republic would be more beneficial than having smaller republics. Factions in today’s society are not looked upon as negative but as a celebration of the many diverse cultures found in America. The United States is place where cultures have different opinions and views but blend and live harmoniously anyway. People are proud to have different interests because it is apart of their heritage. Having your own opinion is a right of an American citizen and that is something people in the United States cherish.
ReplyDeleteMadison believes that the best form of government would be having three separate branches of government: Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. He explains that it is necessary for each branch to have equal power and responsibility and restrictions should be put on the power of each branch. Also, Madison emphasized the importance of maintaining the individual rights of the people. This issue directly connects to what he explained in No. 10, when talking about factions of society and the negative effects of larger factions dominating smaller ones. He states that branches formed within the government need to be equal and power evenly distributed.
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist Paper 51, Madison proposed that the best way to govern the nation was through a system of checks and balances. He claimed that the powers of the national government should be separated so that one department could not sway another. Also, he proposed that legislature should be broken up to into branches due to the fact that it is the strongest part of the government. In the final part of the paper, Madison addressed his idea of factions from Federalist Paper 10. He claimed that the more factions there were, the more they would be able to counteract each other. With several different factions, it would be unlikely that one faction dominates. Madison’s desire to have several factions that could counteract each other ties in perfectly into his idea of checks and balances.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the point that Taylor brings up. The factions found in today's society include the republican and democratic political parties. Madison knew there would be different political groups with contrasting interests but also knew that the American government could accommodate both parties. This accommodation is due to both parties having representation in the governmnet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ricky's point how factions are basically groups of people with the same values but different beliefs about government. This is an important point to bring up. If factions had no similarities whatsoever, they wouldn't be able to compromise at all. The fact that they have similarities as well as differences allows for the system of checks and balances to work better.
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist 51 Madison stated that the most fitting government for the United States would be a representative democracy. The representative would call for a strong national government and a lesser individual state government. Madison also mentioned the need for a three branch government. This was necessary to divide the power amongst those who hold a significant position in government.
ReplyDelete1) James Madison defines a faction as a number of citizens who are united by some common passion or interest. According to Madison factions are obsessed with accumulating power, so that they may have more influence over legislation than any other group. Federalist No. 10 states that such intentions plague government, since they result in rivalries where the public interest becomes ignored.
ReplyDeleteFactions exist today in the form of political parties and interest groups. People who share common ideology come together to create political parties. Those parties attempt to control public policy in order to benefit the interests of their combined members. Interest groups are also considered factions since they are an organized body that promotes a shared belief.
2) In Federalist no. 51 Madison presents a federal government that utilizes a system of checks and balances. He aims to establish this by dividing the legislature into separate branches, each of which has different powers and is elected in different ways. The purpose of the checks and balances is to ensure that no one person or party becomes all powerful in the government. If one branch becomes too powerful or dominated by one group, the other branches can protect the government from it.
Federalist no. 10 coincides with this point by describing how large federalist republics are better than ones that are more subdivided. Madison claims that with large governments too many competing factions exist for one to become all powerful. Thus, a federalist system would limit the ability of one group to control the government, similar to how the system of checks and balances prevents faction domination. Although a faction could become controlling in one state, it would unable to pervade the entire nation, since it is impossible for such a strong common interest to exist so many places.
1) The obvious interpretation of the “factions” mentioned by Madison is political parties. He spoke at great length about how factions could be controlled, since it is not possible to prevent them. As in the legislature, a majority can defeat a minority faction. If the faction happens to be in the majority, popular vote can destroy its powers. Today, factions aren’t limited to varying political parties. There are a never ending number of special interests groups and companies and their corresponding lobbyists. Legislatures must do their best not to be swayed by a lobbyist who provides their campaign with an ample supply of funds. There is also disparity between socioeconomic classes and gender. Having a republican government as opposed to a direct democracy also diffused opinions of radical factions, and the larger that government, the better.
ReplyDelete2) Madison suggests that the best way to run a government is to have the branches and subdivisions as independent of each other and the general public as possible. He proposed a two house legislature, each with a different method of election, which is what we have today. He also stated a heavy reliance on the people, believing that, if each department were truly independent they would all be elected by the people.
I like the point that Chris brings up about how today's examples of factions are different political and interest groups. Today there are several groups most notably in the U.S., England, amd Spain that pose legitimate threats to the current government in their specific nations.
ReplyDeletei agree with Matt on the topic of factions, i like how he brought up the fact that if the faction becomes strong enough then it could possibly take over government. Matt also says that Madison believed that a republic would fix most of the possibilty for having factions.
ReplyDeleteBy "factions", Madison was referring to a small group of citizens with one strong belief, different from public concerns. He states that these groups are detrimental to the stability of the government because they take away from public interests and have too much power in one group. Today, factions are present as political parties. These parties fight for control of the government and only represent the interests of their members.
ReplyDeleteMadison believed that the best way to protect against factions seizing control of the government was to introduce a system of checks and balances between three branches of government. He thought that each branch would be protected by the other two branches balancing it out. This addressed his thesis from No.10 because in a federalist system with checks and balances, one separate faction could not gain total control.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Madison believes factions, which may lead to disunity within the population of a nation, are the most likely way for a government to be destroyed. He feels that in establishing a revised government for our nation, the population should be protected against the beginnings of political and social factions by eliminating all disparities in public opinion, and creating a uniform society. Although this does solve the problem of dissent between social or political groups, it also limits the rights to diversity and opinion of individual citizens.
ReplyDeleteMadison defined a faction as a group of people, majority or minority, that are united under a common goal or passion, different from those of the rest of the community. He believed that liberty was essential to the existence of a faction and identified the diversity of opinion in political life as the origin of factions. Factions do exist today, but in forms different from those of the Constitution's era. No longer of strictly political nature, factions have branched out to include social and economic interests as well. They can sometimes be described as special interest groups.
ReplyDeleteIn federalist paper 51, Madison applies these beliefs to a concrete plan for a government with 3 balances that possess equal responsibilities and powers over each other. He maintains a federalist government that allow a decrease in the likelihood of political factions gaining control due to the system of checks and balances that prevent the abuse of power within the government.
ReplyDeleteWhat Madison means by faction is when a group of people, or citizens, are inspired by similar reasons to act unfavorably towards the rights of other citizens. As a result factions bring out aggression and violence which only a strong Constitution can control. He continues to explain that faction is a “sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society.” In Madison’s observations he sees faction most prevalent in the diversity of opinion in political life.
ReplyDeleteFactions are not as prevalent today, but they still exist. Some factions can include parties that form within the governmental branches. For example the Democratic Leadership Council is considered a faction because it is an association of individuals organized for the purpose of influencing government actions favorable to their interests. There are many religious groups that are can also be considered factions because of their intentions of convincing people to join their group and agree with them.
Madison describes factions as groups of people who cause "instability, injustice, and confusion" through their beliefs and actions. In general, these people are united under a common opinion, but they also tend to act for their own personal benefit, rather than the good of the public. Furthermore, their existence within the federal legislature disrupted any progress toward harmony and unity that the states were hoping to achieve. Despite his best efforts to get rid of factions, however, they continued to spread and thrive. Today they exist in the form of political parties, and they actually provide, to an extent, a sense of balance to our federal government.
ReplyDeleteThe most efficient form of government, according to Madison's Federalist 51, is one with three branches; legislative, executive, and judicial. Each of these branches, he emphasized, would hold different powers that would provide a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from overpowering the other branches. Madison felt it was the citizen's duty to select the officials, who represent their interests, in each of the three branches. Federalist 51 was similar to Federalist 10 in that it emphasized the need for balance and unity within the government. Madison thought a large republic was optimal for the nation's success because it would prevent any one faction from dominating and controlling all the decisions of society.
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist 51 Madison believes the most efficient way of governing the nation is by presenting a system with checks and balances. He emphasizes that the three branches of the federal government should be separate, while still giving each branch enough power to defend itself against the actions of the other branches. He did not want one branch to have more power than another. This addresses his thesis in No. 10 by saying the choice of government can control the effects of faction. If a government is not stable enough factions could form and make a society and government even weaker and fail.
ReplyDeleteMadison asserts the importance of distributing the powers and responsibilities of the federal government into three equal branches: the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. He then suggests that these branches be regulated by each other with a system of checks and balances. This way of organizing a federal government would supposedly ensure a greater sense of equality and hopefully prevent factions from becoming too dominant.
ReplyDeleteAs with many of the things that Tracy says, her connection between the idea of factions back then and today is very insightful. Whereas most people saw factions in the political parties, she was also able to connect the idea with special interest groups, and I would have to agree with her analysis. Tracy also has nice sweaters, is super nice, and does not think that tootsie rolls are made of chocolate.
ReplyDeleteVote Tracy Wang for Governor.
Chris' comparison between Federalist number 10 and 51 was clearly explained, as he brought up Madidson's claim that large government would prevent ambitious factions from gaining too much power on a national level.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, Madison mentions that humans naturally divide into factions. They are caused by religious differences, civil society, along with different human passions. Factions divide out society along with dividing our government. Each group focuses on one thing which can either aid or restrain the government. Political factions are apparent today and like Madison saidf, the regulation of various and interfering intrests is the principal task of the legislation. We cannot help factions because human nature forces us into them. So instead we must learn to work with them using governmental tactics. Removing causes and controlling effects
ReplyDeleteIn Federalist 51 Madison believed that the most efficent form of government was three branches that all reported to a higher authority. Along with that, there would be a series of checks and balances to make sure that neither branch gained too much power. The other powers should not be dependent on other branches along with a different war of electing officials based on credentials. All throughout the articles, Madison elaborated on his ideas. In article 10, he stated that factions are an important issue in government because they are inevitable and therefore must be accommondated.
ReplyDeleteI think that Taylor makes a good point saying that although there are factions, they must be related in some way in order for there to be compromises. If there were no similarities, then making decisions were basically be impossible.
ReplyDeleteA faction, as Madison describes it, is "a number of citizens, whether amouting to a mojhority 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." This meanst hat factions consist of people with opinions that challenge and contradict the collective interest of the rest of the public. Factions today exist as religious extremist groups, as an example. These groups work against the search for equality and populate the whole world. Other factions include certain radical olitical groups that go by ideals that the public does not agree with.
ReplyDeleteAs he said in Federalist 51, Madison prefered a government with the proper checks and balances. He did not want any single man or group to have any overwhelming power over the others. He supports the idea of a separation of powers into three branches: the judicial, executive and legislative. He also suggests that it is the public's responsibilty to elect officials into these branches. In Federalist #10, he stresses the importance of a united public without rival factions was necessary for the smooth running of the government.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris's point about factions. He says that though a faction may end up controlling one state, it is unlikely that the whole country be convinced by one radical idea.
ReplyDelete"Factions" are groups or political parties within the government. Madison explained that although there were many different factions with opposing views. These clashing ideas could cause problems and "disputes over fundamental issues." However, there would still be a majority rule.
ReplyDeleteFactions are still present today in the form of political parties. Each has a different idea for how the government and the country should be run. However, it is up to the majority to choose which party should carry out its plans.
In Federalist 51, Madison states that the best way to govern is with "braches" (ex. Judicial, Executive, Legislative) that each have their own power but also, its own restrictions. There is a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch can get power hungry.
I agree with Vishakha's examples of factions. Factions are political groups that go against what the public agrees with and religious extremist groups are a strong example of that.
ReplyDelete1) Through out federaliSt #10 Madison continuously refers to the term factions. I believe factions are groups of people who came together to protect and promote their intrests and opinions whether it be economically, politically, or religiously. There are many of these factions and they all fight to voice their opinions and have the majority vote for their positions because they think it is what is right. These factions are very similar and just another name for groups that we know of today as political parties. Groups like republicans or democrats each have their ideas and want them to win the vote and get their ideas passed. There are also groups like religious extremists or religious political groups that are just like what factions are. Factions are very predominant in our society and their distinct groups and ideas are what run this country and decides what happens. Without the factions our society would be in political chaos. These factions also form naturally in human nature when people stick with others that have similar beliefs as them.
ReplyDelete2) Madison felt strongly that the most efficient way to run a country and govern a nation would be through checks and balances between different departments of the proposed government. He believed that each branch should be independent but they would check up on each other to ensure no one branch had too much power. Also, he referenced this in Federalist 10 because he said by factions each having their own opinions and fairly deciding who gets their ideas passed helps the country with its laws and the ideals that no one group should have all the power in decisions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris's idea of plurality. He is correct in the sense that with plurality there are too many people for one person to get enough power to take over the government.
ReplyDelete#1: By factions, Madison meant a group of people united by some common interest that are not necessarily in the interest of an entire population. Factions gave their own particular opinions, and tend to work in their own favor, instead of the interest of the whole. He concludes that the effects of faction must be suppressed and controlled in order to maintain an orderly society. The political spectrum holds a vast selection of beliefs on how to run government. Today, factions present themselves in numerous forms, most prevalently as political parties in politics. In American politics, the Republican and Democratic parties are the most prevalent.
ReplyDelete#2: Madison asserts that the most efficient and sensible way of governing was based in its construction and powers. He determined that there should be three main branches of federal government that would have individual roles, but would ‘check and balance’ the power of the other branches. This way, the separation of powers ensures that no particular branch or party or person becomes in total control of the government. Madison addresses this in Federalist #10 by stating how so many factions exist that it is not possible for one to gain complete control.
It worked, I can post again!
ReplyDeleteTyler and Alexis elaborated more on the specifics of factions, presenting certain types of faction, and explaining how they form. This made their responses clearer and gave a broader image that described what faction was and what Madison meant by it.
When Madison mentions factions in federalist 10, he is referring to a sort of precursor to various political parties. In the document, Madison clearly states that these factions are made up of people who are "united by some common impulse of passion." This directly describes the political parties found in government today, in which different factions are united into a political party united by common beliefs and goals.
ReplyDeleteFrom Fed. 51, Madison is proposing a Democratic Republic, which is what the American government is today. He clearly shows his concern for the equal balance of power and conservation of rights and is loyal to the late 18th century version of Republicanism. This compares to Fed. 10 because he wants everyone to have a say in government, allowing each 'faction' to state thier opinions.
Comrades, the point of a 'faction' or political party is to gain support in government, not to go against what the public want. That would be political suicide. These factions want to expand thier beliefs and gain popular support.
ReplyDelete