Overview
Federalist 10 by James Madison argues that a large, well-constructed republic is the best way to control the dangers of factions and protect the public good and minority rights.
The Problem of Faction
- Factions are groups united by interests or passions adverse to others or the community.
- Factions threaten stable government and the rights of minorities.
- Main source of factions is the unequal distribution of property.
- Government often faces clashing interests among various social and economic groups.
Ineffective Solutions to Faction
- Removing the causes of faction would require destroying liberty or enforcing total uniformity of thought, both undesirable or impossible.
- Liberty is essential to political life, even though it encourages faction.
- Human nature makes diversity of opinions and interests inevitable.
Controlling the Effects of Faction
- Effects must be controlled rather than causes removed.
- If a faction is a minority, the majority can outvote it.
- If a majority is a faction, it threatens the rights of others and the public good.
Advantages of a Republic
- A pure democracy is vulnerable to majority factions with no check on their power.
- A republic delegates government to elected representatives, who can refine and enlarge public views.
- Representatives are more likely to pursue the public good than the public acting directly.
Large vs. Small Republics
- Larger republics have more citizens and interests, making it harder for a majority faction to form.
- More citizens choosing representatives increases the chance of electing qualified leaders and reduces corruption.
- The diversity and size of a large republic make oppressive majorities less likely.
The Union as a Remedy
- A large union provides the best republican solution to the problems of faction and instability.
- The structure of the union helps protect both public good and individual rights.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Faction — A group united by interests adverse to the rights of others or the interests of the whole.
- Republic — A government where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.
- Pure Democracy — Government where citizens administer laws directly without representatives.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review differences between republic and direct democracy.
- Understand why Madison favors a large republic.
- Prepare to discuss how Federalist 10 addresses concerns about majority rule and minority rights.