University:
University of Houston
Course:
GOVT 2304 | Introduction to Political Science
Academic year:

2024
Views:

235

Pages:

12
Author:

Alisson Allison

Understanding Federalist 1 Learning Objectives      2 Identify the significance of the Federalist Papers to an understanding of the American Constitution. Describe the causes and consequences of faction. Explain why Madison believed that a republican government was superior to a direct democracy. Describe Madison’s solution to the problem of faction. Identify some provisions of the U.S. Constitution that reflect the political philosophy contained in Federalist 10. 7/29/2024 Key Terms  The Federalist Papers  Factions Pure Democracy Republic   3 7/29/2024 The Federalist Papers    4 They were essays written in 1787 by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton under the penname of Publius Their purpose was to advocate the ratification of the new constitution by the states They are an authoritative but unofficial explanation of American government by those who created it 7/29/2024 Federalist 10    5 Madison wrote Federalist 10 to counter the argument that democracies inevitably dissolve into turmoil and disorder caused by factions which ignore the national interest in favor of their own interests. The consensus of late 19th century political thought was that a monarchy was needed to restrain the destructive tendency of faction. Today, the opponents of democracy make similar arguments in behalf of undemocratic forms of government. 7/29/2024 What is a faction? A number of citizens, either a minority or a majority that are united by a common impulse or passion adverse to the rights of other citizens or the best interests of the community. 6 7/29/2024 What causes faction?    7 Madison says they are “sown in the nature of man” People have different opinions about religion, government, political leaders . . . The most common cause of faction is the “various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society.” 7/29/2024 Why are factions a problem? The most powerful faction will control the government and make decisions based not on the common good but to benefit itself. Both other groups and the common good will suffer. 8 7/29/2024 The dilemma of pure democracy     9 In a pure democracy, the people assemble and administer the government in person. Pure democracy can only exist in a small geographical area. Pure democracies inevitably fall victim to the mischief of faction. Pure democracies fail because they are unable to protect individual liberty and the rights of property. 7/29/2024 Would removing the causes of faction solve the problem?   10 No. Destroying the liberty that allows faction to develop is a cure worse than the disease. Giving everyone the same opinion is impractical. 7/29/2024 Controlling the effects of faction    11 If a faction is less than a majority, then rely on majority rule to control it. If a faction is in the majority, then rely on the type of political system to control it. The cure to the problem of factions is a large republic. 7/29/2024 A republic is different from a pure democracy   12 In a republic, the citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions and administer the government on their behalf. A republic can be established in a larger country than can a pure democracy because of its representative nature. 7/29/2024