Samuel Lee
POLS 1101
Prof. Gunny
February 2, 2009
Federalist Assignment
The complaints Madison points out are “that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and 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.” In Madison's view these complaints have foundation and they cannot be denied.
“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, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.”
The two methods are “destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence and by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.” He thinks both of the methods are absurd.
“A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for preeminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.”
“Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would, at the same time, be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions.”
No he say, “Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.”
“If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican principle,...