The Federalist, No. 10

by James Madison

  1. What is the purpose of Union (or Constitution)?

    "... to break and control the violence of faction."

  2. Why have democracies failed in the past?

    1. "Governments are too unstable...."
    2. the public good is often disregarded.
    3. public policy is often decided by an "overbearing majority" which ignores the rules of justice and the rights of political minorities.

  3. What is a FACTION?

    1. a MAJORITY or a minority of citizens.
    2. united by a common INTEREST or passion (i.e., emotion).
    3. advocating policy (1) not in the PUBLIC INTEREST, or (2) violates the RIGHTS of other people.

  4. What causes FACTIONS?

    1. different opinions concerning RELIGION;
    2. different opinions concerning GOVERNMENT (i.e., different opinions regarding public policy);
    3. commitment to specific LEADERS;
    4. commitment to specific CELEBRITIES;
    5. UNEQUAL distribution of INCOME OR PROPERTY.

  5. Does Majority Rule Provide Justice in Politics?

    1. FACTIONS motivated by SELF INTEREST, not on the basis of what is in the PUBLIC INTEREST.
    2. for example, "Shall domestic MANUFACTURES be encouraged? By restrictions or tarrifs on foreign manufactures? (Landed v. Manufacturing classes);
    3. "The apportionment of TAXES on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is ... no ...act in which greater" self interest is a motivating force.

  6. How are FACTIONS controlled in a Republic?

    1. MORAL or RELIGIOUS motives can NOT be relied on an adequate control.
    2. Decisions delegated to a SMALL number of REPRESENTATIVES .
    3. larger territory or government has a "greater variety of parties and interest (i.e., COMPETITION of INTERESTS ) (i.e., "...unjust or dishonorable purposes ... is always checked by distrust in proportion to the number whose concurrence is necessary).
    4. "The influence of factious leaders my kindle a flame within their particular State, but will be unable to spread ... [to] the other states.
    5. "A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the [country]; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire [country check] the [influence of a particular sect on] the national [government].