Federalist #10 – federalist 10 questions answer key
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How did the people in the 18 th Century perceive democracy—popular government? Positively or negatively?
Answer: They generally had a negative perception of democracy where power rested with the people. Their study of classical history and their own state government experience showed that when people governed that a majority group passed laws that favored their own interests at the expense of the public good. Minority groups in society were often ignored. Clashes between these factions caused unstable governments, and in the case of the classical Athens, someone had to be called in to restore order at the expense of individual liberty. When you read our U. S. Constitution, you may notice there is no mention of the word democracy! Our framers equated it with “mob rule” where property rights would go unprotected.
Define a faction.
Answer : Madison writes that “[b]y 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, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.”
What did Madison consider the source/cause of faction? List two (2) main causes of faction:
Answer:
Sown in the nature of man —men have different abilities, strengths, intellects, and experiences, and as a result, different interests or concerns….
Various and Unequal distribution of property —“most common and durable source of faction….” Madison writes that there are different economic interests in society. We sometimes refer to it as “the haves and the have nots.” If you own your own home and your friend rents an apartment, you will have different concerns. You will be concerned about paying property taxes and keeping the lawn mowed. If you are farmer, you will have different interests than a financier, tradesman, or manufacturer. Creditors and debtors have different views about the collection of debts. “Different views and sentiments” will divide us into groups.
What are the two (2) methods of curing the mischief of faction?
Answer :
Remove the causes or
control its effects.
How does Madison recommend removing the causes of faction?
Answer :
Destroy liberty or
make all men’s passions/interests the same.
What did Madison recommend to “control” the effects of faction?
Answer : A representative democracy, a Republic.
Why would a republican form of government be the best means to reduce the influence of factions or interest groups—“cure the mischief of factions? Federalist 10 Questions Answer Key
Answer : A representative, like Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH), could more objectively consider the concerns of constituents and competing interest groups and support legislation that promotes the public good (the interests of the entire community) rather than interest of one group. By competing for the attention of our representative(s), it would help to minimize the influence of a particular group on the making of public policy.
Madison writes “…. to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves….”
Why did he believe a large federal republic rather than a small republic would help to minimize the influence of “special interests” on our government?
Answer : In a large republic there would be more people, more diverse interests/concerns, and it would make it more difficult, not impossible, for a majority of the people to find a common interest and try to dominate our national government at the expense of other groups and individual liberty.
Madison was concerned that in a small republic it would still be easier for a majority interest to form because there were fewer competing interest groups. If you had a large nation with a diverse population, “ you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other. ”
Madison explains that “ [t]he influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through other States.” He was concerned about religious groups, those advocating for eliminating debts or the need for paper money, or the equal distribution of property would try to dominate our government and pass laws that favored their interests. A federal republic would make it just that much more difficult for a majority group to dominate our entire government Federalist 10 Questions Answer Key
