The Federalist, Paper Number 10 by James Madison

Overview

• Authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in 1787-1788.
• Aimed to persuade New York to ratify the proposed Constitution.
• Discusses checks and balances of competing factions in American politics.
• Signed under the pseudonym "Publius."

Key Questions

• What are the differences between a pure democracy and a republic?
• What advantages does a republic have over a democracy?

Factions and Their Causes

• Definition of Faction: A group of citizens united by a common interest adverse to others or the community.
• Causes:
  • Liberty allows factions to exist, likened to air for fire.
  • Impractical to eliminate factions by removing liberty or making everyone identical.
  • Various and unequal distribution of property is a common cause of faction.
• Modern Legislation:
  • Tasked with regulating interfering interests, involving party and faction spirit in government functions.
• Enlightened Statesmen:
  • Cannot always adjust clashing interests to serve the public good.

Controlling Faction Effects

• Minority Factions:
  • Controlled by the republican principle, allowing majority rule via regular vote.
• Majority Factions:
  • Popular government sacrifices public good and rights of others.
  • Aim to secure public good and private rights while preserving popular government.

Differences Between Democracy and Republic

• Pure Democracy:
  • Small society with direct administration by citizens.
  • No cure as majority rule often leads to sacrifice of weaker parties.
• Republic:
  • Government through representation.
  • Delegation to a small number of elected citizens.
  • Greater number of citizens and larger territory.

Advantages of a Republic

1. Delegation of Government:
   • Refines and enlarges public views via a chosen body of wise and just citizens.
2. Extent of Territory and Population:
   • Larger republics provide more variety of parties and interests.
   • Difficult for majority to invade rights of others or act in unison.

• Federal Constitution:
  • Balances national and local interests.
  • Larger republics better control faction effects than smaller ones.

Conclusion

• The Union provides a republican remedy for issues inherent in republican government.
• Support and cherish the spirit of Federalism as part of republican pride.

Publius