Why Our Government Works

The Federalist papers number 10 and number 51 were fundamental in shaping our government today. Madison argues for a more centralized powerful government in these argumentative essays. Within these writings are the true reasons why our American government works. Our government is based on the ideas of separation of powers. Federalist paper number 51 deals with the separation of powers so that no one faction or political party can take control of the government. It also states that each branch of government should be equal in power and be separated.In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own: and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others”. This quote argues that the branches should have distinct powers and that the members of these branches should have no say in the election of members of the other branches. This is to make sure that no one branch of government can control the rest of the government.

“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgement, and not improbably, corrupt his integrity. with equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time: yet what are many of the most important acts of legislation, but so many judicial determination, not indeed concerning the rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens? and what are the different classes of legislators but advocates and parties to the causes which they determine? This passage from Federalist papers number 10 talks about the separation of powers in the branches of government. Madison reasons that one man should not be able to be his own judge in principle. This applies to one branch taking control of all the others. This one branch could decide what is legal, make legislation, and enforce it. This to them is corrupting and concerning that one body could alter the rights of so many citizens. Ultimately, separation of powers is what makes our government work.

Why does the American form of government work?

Federalist Essay no. 10

“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity.”

No one can honestly judge their selves, there needs to be other parties involved. This not only applies to a single man but also to a larger political party. If people/governments were allowed to judge themselves as they wished then the country would be in chaos as they would find a way to justify their wrongdoings to themselves, without having to worry about what others thought of them. So for example in a court scenario there are a number of people on the jury who ultimately decide if the defendant is guilty or not, therefore meaning the verdict is more than a single persons opinion.

Federalist Essay no. 51

‘The different governments will control each other, at the same time that

each will be controlled by itself.”

Each different government is allowed to control themselves and make their own decisions. However, they have to be aware of what the others are doing and to correct them when they are wrong. This also prevents one different sector gaining more power than the others and controlling them all, so even though they are separate they work as a unit to guide each other.

Federalist Essays No. 10 & 51: Why the Government works

The Federalist  No.10

The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations. The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected. Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority.

This essay, the first of Madison's contributions to the series, was a rather long development of the theme that a well-constructed union would break and control the violence of faction, a "dangerous vice" in popular governments.As defined by Madison, a faction was a number of citizens, whether a majority or minority, who were united and activated "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  a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.

There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.

There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.

There were two ways of removing the causes of factions, or political parties. The first was to destroy the liberty essential to their existence. This remedy would be worse than the disease. The second was to give everyone the same opinions, passions, and interests. This was impossible. Woven into the fabric of all societies, deeply planted in the very nature of man, were conflicting ideas, interests, and passions. The greatest source of factions had always been the various and unequal distribution of property, said Madison:

The Federalist No. 51

To what expedient, then, shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the Constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places. Without presuming to undertake a full development of this important idea, I will hazard a few general observations, which may perhaps place it in a clearer light, and enable us to form a more correct judgment of the principles and structure of the government planned by the convention.

James Madison begins his famous federalist paper by explaining that the purpose of this essay is to help the readers understand how the structure of the proposed government makes liberty possible. Each branch should be, in Madison's opinion, mostly independent. To assure such independence, no one branch should have too much power in selecting members of the other two branches. If this principle were strictly followed, it would mean that the citizens should select the president, the legislators, and the judges.

In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others. Were this principle rigorously adhered to, it would require that all the appointments for the supreme executive, legislative, and judiciary magistracies should be drawn from the same fountain of authority, the people, through channels having no communication whatever with one another. Perhaps such a plan of constructing the several departments would be less difficult in practice than it may in contemplation appear. Some difficulties, however, and some additional expense would attend the execution of it. Some deviations, therefore, from the principle must be admitted.

Dividing power helps to check its growth in any one direction, but power cannot be divided absolutely equally. In the republican form of government, the legislative branch tends to be the most powerful. That is why the framers divided the Congress into two branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and provided for a different method of election in each branch. Further safeguards against legislative tyranny may be necessary.community."

By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or

Why the American Government Works, but Not as Efficiently as it Could

The question at hand is how, according to Federalist Papers No. 10 and 51, the US Government works. The answer that is not only prevalent in our current governmental issues like our Congress literally shutting down in 2013, but also  apparent in Madison's writings is that our government has long term flaws, flaws that result in an inefficiency and discordance.

In Federalist Essay 10, Madison expresses his support for the Constitution, because it keeps factions in control. Madison describes factions as " 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, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community". The factions that Madison are talking about sound a lot like our current day political parties. In 1796 when our nation's first president warned us about forming political parties, he voiced several of the concerns that Madison also touched upon. Factions or groups of people with similar opinions will always exist, because "there are [only] two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests". Both of these are impossible, as our nation cannot exist without liberty as our basis. Political parties have the liberty to form, to speak, to publish. Human nature is to agree and disagree, and it is what causes these factions to be passionate and to organize. The main reason why factions limit the U.S. government is that our politicians are limited by the opinions of their party in regards to controversial issues. Instead of candidates being able to campaign with there own personal opinions, they may feel pressure to fit inside a box labeled either Republican or Democrat. With the presence of such large factions, we as voters lose some of the conservative to liberal spectrum we would be able to get without such a hardened bi partisan system. While the existence of political parties is not an inherently bad thing itself; factions after a certain point become too wholly representative and shifts the focus of a leader away from personal beliefs and onto trying to best represent the beliefs of their party. 


In Federalist Essay No. 51, Madison expresses why checks and balances are needed, essentially to ensure that no one individual or group becomes too powerful. "In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." This balance between power of the government and obedience of the government that Madison describes in one that we have not yet reached. As he states, it's easy for a government to lay down law on citizens, but it becomes much more difficult when it comes to our own government self evaluating and realizing when they've failed in an area. As patriotic as our country, it is still important to recognize when we as a country have failed on a front. For out government to be as efficient as possible, it also needs to recognize its faults when something goes wrong and improve from there. The archetype of a politician nowadays is someone who s dishonest and power-hungry and Madison touches on just that as he digs deep into the very root of why we need all of this structure in the first place, as "if men were angels, no government would be necessary". This also speaks volumes as to why our government continues to be largely imperfect, because corruption and greed in the humankind will continue to exist in our nation's leaders. The best that we can do is put in place safeguards to ensure that too much power does not even have the opportunity to fall into the hands of someone who could have these faults. 

Our government is a great one, one that has been designed to be successful in upholding law, serving justice, and improving the quality of life of U.S citizens, and for the most part it is. However, in Madison's Federalist Essays 10 and 51 he touches upon some very valid points on why the U.S government does not work as efficiently and ideally as it should. 

Common Interest Towards the Greater Good

     "By 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." (Federalist No.10).
     Madison portrays his point that if a group of people, minority or majority, are united and have common goals that they will be able to decide whats best for the community. By assuring that all factions of the US share commonalities in their personal needs, it makes the chances of a certain faction gaining more power and thinking only for themselves. People are selfish by nature and to make one another work together a nation must appeal to what the people want. without common interest or representatives a government would fail.
     "In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions and their common dependence on the society will admit." (Federalist No.51)
     In Madison's Federalist No.51 he explains the problem of a certain faction of government gaining more power than others and how to solve such problem. A great fear with all types of government is that those in power will take advantage of it and over rule the common people. The US created a system of checks and balances to combat the possibility of this happening. This system works first by having multiple branches of government. Next, by making sure each branch has substantial differences so that if one branch took over the other wouldn't benefit. Lastly, this system relies on the fact that each branch has certain powers over the other branches. This way, if any branch begins to become too powerful, other branches can check them, creating a balance.

“Were this principle rigorously adhered to, it would require that all the appointments for the supreme executive, legislative, and judiciary magistracies should be drawn from the same fountain of authority, the people, through channels having no communication whatever with one another” “The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.” Federalist 51

This works for the American government and makes it work because it puts the people in charge. It let’s the people make the decisions though the government still does all of the legal decision making it helps the people feel as if they are more involved and have all the power. One’s interests must be constitutional to the government meaning that American citizens must always follow the government laws, which makes a great nation because it keeps people in order. This is pretty much saying that one must follow the law and the new laws or interests one proposes must follow what is constitutionally correct.

“The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.” Federalist 10

This makes the American government work because it protects everybody’s right to property. It allows one to buy and sell property to their own advantage and use and doesn’t allow the government to steal their property away when it wants or needs it. This system is a check and balances system for the people and it eliviates stress and pressure on the people to make their land profitable in fear of losing it.

Why does the American Form of government work?

The Federalist Essay No 10. explains how the United States being a larger state to rule over, is less susceptible to falling into the hands of a tyrant. It states, "The other point of difference is, the greater number of citizens and extent of territory which may be brought within the compass of republican than of democratic government; and it is this circumstance principally which renders factious combinations less to be dreaded in the former than in the latter. The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it; the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party; and the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression". With more citizens and vast territory the United States has more people who will readily oppose any such tyrant. It is in fact more difficult for one ruler to control the entire region. This is what differentiates the United States from other European countries and by Madison sets the United States at an advantage. 

Federalist Essay No 51 states  "In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good; whilst there being thus less danger to a minor from the will of a major party, there must be less pretext, also, to provide for the security of the former, by introducing into the government a will not dependent on the latter, or, in other words, a will independent of the society itself. It is no less certain than it is important, notwithstanding the contrary opinions which have been entertained, that the larger the society, provided it lie within a practical sphere, the more duly capable it will be of self-government". This explains how with several different groups there is hope that the different groups will support justice and equality. There is a security in majority rights for many groups if promoting justice which also secures individual rights. This allows the United States government to represent everyone's interests in a just way. 

Federalist Papers 10 and 51: Why the American Government Works

The Federalist #10: 
In this paper, the author clarifies two key differences between pure democracy and a republic, and he argues that a republican form of government will be the most conducive to the stability of the nation.

"The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, 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, convened for the purpose."

The author makes the distinction that in a republic, the public views do not directly affect national policy but rather are sent through a "chosen body of citizens," namely the members of Congress in the American governmental system that exists to this day. He implies that these chosen representatives will be wise and unbiased in their decision making, which is made possible through our careful selection of these people. He also argues that under this system, the public opinion will in fact be better voiced through a group of representative officials than by the people themselves. This is in fact why our current form of government works so well; the system of elected representatives works much more efficiently than would a pure democracy that stems completely from the citizens.

"The other point of difference is, the greater number of citizens and extent of territory which may be brought within the compass of republican than of democratic government; and it is this circumstance principally which renders factious combinations less to be dreaded in the former than in the latter... Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; 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.

The author's other main distinction between democracy and a republic is that the latter is able to cover a greater extent of land and control it in an effective manner. A large portion of this paper is devoted to discussing factions, which in our present day can be thought of as political parties. His belief is that with minimal numbers of political factions, it is too easy for one large majority party to completely and perhaps oppressively rule over the government. By having a "greater variety of parties and interests" in a republic, it is less likely for one idea to be so commonly held by all that it overrides all others. This seems to have been implemented effectively, for we still have our two large and opposing political parties today.

The Federalist #51:
This paper seems to discuss numerous methods that a government can use to efficiently guard against oppression from within the government, whether it between the branches of government or between factions of people.

"In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others."

Here, the author draws on the Enlightenment ideals of the likes of Montesquieu in advocating the idea of separation of powers, in which the government is divided into different branches so as to prevent the abuse of power from any one branch. He says not only that each branch should "have a will of its own," meaning that no single branch is in any way controlled by any other, but also that the members of one branch should have as little say as possible in appointing the members of others. In a way, this has been put into effect in present-day society. However, he recognizes that this cannot always be done so as to benefit the nation, stating as an example that court justices should be appointed by knowledgable members of other branches rather than by the more relatively ignorant people. This is a truth that we've realized in today's government, and again, we see the influence of this article in the separation of powers system that exists between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

"In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself."

The author explains that the ideal government not only has branches that check the power of the others, but also that the system of a federal government that controls smaller state governments provides a huge aid to the ruling of the nation. He knows that having smaller and separate governments will help control the individual sectors of the nation, and that these governments must be controlled by one larger system. In this way, the state governments will effectively rule over their own people while at the same time ensuring that no other infringes on their sovereignty. Again, this system is a large part of how today's government functions; the federal government has jurisdiction over the state governments, which in turn control smaller districts that make local decisions. This separated yet interconnected system has given rise to the stable system that is the American government.

How The Government in the US is Able to Function

According to Federalist Essays No. 10 and 51, America’s form of government is able to function while still being a republic and a federal government because it is so well able to keep the opposing parts of society and the government from ever taking too much power from the others. The first and foremost way that it is able to do this as seen in FE No. 10, is due to its three way split of power. The government is split into the congressional, judicial and executive branches. These three branches all have the power to check and balance the power of each other. This separation of power is something that is critical and as described is often missing in other forms of previous government that has failed. This system of governing which controls the effect of factions is described as the best solution, compared to the alternatives which include controlling the thoughts of the population, something that is admitted to be impossible due to the underlying differences of humanity. As well as the alternative possibility of removing liberty entirely, something that is in the end contradictory in nature to the original goal. This method of controlling the effects of factions with the a split government means that if one rogue faction is even able to take over one section of the government, they are unable to have any effect upon the other. This fact is later accentuated with the writings contained in FE No. 51, where is it described that the different sections of government are to have little to no influence upon who is in control of the other sections. This is a fact that in essence must be true, otherwise the whole reasoning of having split power within the government is fundamentally flawed, as it can easily be circumvented., These thorough differences are evident within our society with the fact that the judges serving on the supreme court are offered that position for life, meaning they can do their job without having to worry about a new president removing them from power. The two branches of congress have little effect upon who makes up the other half. These separations as described are key to the American government to function, if any of these safeguards were to be removed, the whole excess of the American government would disappear and the dominant faction would quickly seize power eliminating the power and potentially even the existence of any rival minority factions.

Why the American Form of Government Works

The American form of government was the first one of its time, a bold experiment in a traditional world. Some time after gaining independence, James Madison, John Jay, and Thomas Jefferson wrote about the need to adopt a formal constitution for the governing of America. After all these years, our system of government has persisted and thrived. It has not been without its shortcomings and challenges, but it still stands as a symbol of our hard-earned freedom. What has allowed the Constitution to remain for so long a foundational document of American government? And what are the reasons why it fundamentally works?

The Federalist Essay #10, by James Madison, raises an important concern about the ability of the American government to handle discontent in minority or majority groups-what he refers to as "factions". He begins by maintaining that factions are an inevitable and naturally occurring part of a nation:

The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society…But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society. Those who are creditors, and those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views. The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.

If factions are indeed a part of every society, then there must be a method used by the government to control and prevent these factions from becoming out of control. Madison gives several examples of ideas that would aim to fix this problem, but will ultimately fail. Interestingly, he explicitly states that a true democracy will never work:

A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking. Let us examine the points in which it varies from pure democracy, and we shall comprehend both the nature of the cure and the efficacy which it must derive from the Union.

The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended.

It would appear that Madison does not believe a democracy will not work in America, or any country for that matter, because of the large scale which it would require. One could see how this would become complicated, with every single different viewpoint of a United States citizen in play. Instead, Madison proposes a republic, differing from a democracy in the fact that the power to make governmental decisions lies in the hands of a few elected representatives. In this, we see how the American government works today-citizens vote to choose people who they trust will make the right decision. This way, there is more stability and less chance of complications happening. It is this that has made the republic system of government flourish in America and exist for so many years.

In the Federalist Essay #51, Madison explains the other key aspect of American government which allows it to be successful-the checks and balances system. Madison thought it crucial to include this portion:

The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places.

Madison begins his paper by outlining the need for the checks-and-balances system. Not going into specific details, he explains why the system he has described is important and what it means for the American governmental system.

It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. 

The most important reason a checks-and-balances system is necessary to include in the American government is the protection it provides the people. The checks of the other branches prevent one branch from becoming too powerful or harming the people in any way. The American form of government works because of it being a republic and the checks-and-balances which promote a fair and just government for the people.

A Government's Survival: How it Continues

Our modern concept of the sovereignty of a country derives from the presence and ability of a government to maintain that sovereignty. While we may instantly think of countries are exceptions, namely Somalia and Libya, their faltering international rights are continually upheld by the efforts of other governments working towards a peaceful settlement. We regard the national governments of sovereign nations to be the standard of ability of countries and to act as the link between the goals and practicalities of the country. However, none of this says anything about how the United States form of government works. The brief answer to this, is that it works because we will it to through our efforts and our own personal actions.

American efforts to defend the minority from the majority are eloquently argued in Madison's Federalist 10, which states, "When a majority is included in a faction, the form of popular government, on the other hand, enables it to sacrifice to its ruling passion or interest both the public good and the rights of other citizens. To secure the public good and private rights against the danger of such a faction, and at the same time to preserve the spirit and the form of popular government, is then the great object to which our inquiries are directed." When faced with the issue of majority rule and minority rights, Madison responded that the Republican system will best protect the minority from the whims of the majority, unlike in a fully democratic system. This ideal will be upheld in the Republican form of government that emerges from the Philadelphia National Convention in the 1780's.

However, the 1780's were a long time ago and it may seem that the modern standing of our political system is destroying the very system it has sworn to defend. We have two major parties that gridlock in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, denying the other any progress for their respective agendas. Madison's Federalist 10 fought the idea of any kind of faction or sect being able to gain enough power to control enough of the country. It states,  "The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source."

Madison argues that it is the duty of other factions and sects to fight those that dominate and commandeer great power in their home regions. Yet if we take a quick reflection, it would seem to appear that we have failed on both aspects of Madison's writings. The United States' failure to uphold minority rights by only playing to the two majorities, both of which supposedly fail to overpower the other, appears to demonstrate our failure to uphold the basics of majority rule, minority rights.

While it may seem this way at first, our two party system does in fact protect both its minority parties as well as prevent abusive sects from dominating, just not in the way originally imagined. The Democrat-Republican gridlock has been lambasted by every single American for being inefficient, and it is, but it continues to display some aspects of what Madison was arguing in Federalist 10. Each party has its fringe voters, and many of these abusive fringes are ultimately denied power in government as a result of the larger factions gaining enough popular support to prevent their rule, but still maintain their rights and liberties as a politically dissenting minority.

The split in our government brings the arguments back to Federalist 51 where Madison writes about the powers and balances of the United States government. On the idea of the sovereignty of each branch, he writes, "In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government... it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others." This is a very clear demonstration of Madison's wishes to separate the branches and keep a system of checks and balances very strong. A tradition of strong branches has continued through our history to enable our modern government to function.

But he believes all must be given power so that neither will be taken over, for all to have the same power is to give power to none. Madison sees this and establishes the legislative branch as the most important of the government of the republic. He writes, "In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions and their common dependence on the society will admit." Even within the most powerful branch itself, Madison argues that there must be another balance of power between minority rights and majority rules within the legislative branch.

But to many of us, it seems as if none of these work and our country is a broken place here our approval for Congress is lower than 16%. We see smaller minority having disproportionately loud voices that do not represent the will of the people as well as a political gridlock in which all branches collaborate to aid the others in their fight against the other party. So despite all of this, why does our government still work?

It is our two party system that maintains the government and ideally would bring this country to the best course of action through political compromise and rational debates. However, our system is becoming increasingly polarized and this ideal view appears to be faltering. Our government survives and works because our history has involved our government overcoming its obstacles and thriving. We have consistently maintained the Senate as a floor for the rights of the minority and the house as a semi-representational floor for the rule of the many. Each has its own power to prevent cross over and merging. But with the rise of mass media and instantaneous communication, the government enters a new age where it must be prepared to overcome its obstacles as our government has previously done.

We have always upheld our values as a republic, and while at times it seems we have failed in these goals, we maintain our role as the world's strongest world power and semi-international police. We must uphold what Madison argues in Federalist 51, "It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure. There are but two methods of providing against this evil: the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority -- that is, of the society itself; the other, by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable." We have allowed for there to be independent ideas and organizations who exert their own influence. Our societal good has often prevented the worst from ultimately exploiting, but there are faults in the inability for us to separate our social good from our protection of all ideas. As one side has gained power, the other has united to defend their interests, and while this has prevented the majority from compromising the rights of the minority.

The two party system may not be the ideal system, but it prevents a multi-party system which has been shown to have many abuses of minority parties who take advantage of their splintered opponents. By encompassing many smaller beliefs and negotiating them into larger parties, we have polarized some portions of our society, but we have also prevented these smaller beliefs from fracturing and crippling the will of the majority. Our government continues to work because while our approval ratings are at rock bottom, we still participate in local matters and argue for what we believe in. Those who participate are often those who wish to make a difference, but it is up to us to keep these men honest. Our civic engagement keeps the republic alive and it is the people that must keep vigilant for tyranny and abuses of our government so that it may continue to serve the republic by the people, of the people, for the people.

Why does the American Form of Government Work?

In the Federalist Essay No.10 James Madison analyzes the the danger in a society without checks and balances. "With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time; yet what are many of the most important acts of legislation, but so many judicial determinations, not indeed concerning the rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens? And what are the different classes of legislators but advocates and parties to the causes which they determine? Is a law proposed concerning private debts? It is a question to which the creditors are parties on one side and the debtors on the other. Justice ought to hold the balance between them." He argues that in a society there has to be a balance in government itself and between the government and the people. He says that we must keep the government in check because if we do not, the country can be left in ruins with absolute injustice at every corner.

In the Federalist Essay No.51 Madison reiterates separation, more in government. "In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others." Madison also states that there will always be factions in government (a state of disorganization or chaos). The only way to fix these disorganization is to have more factions. By this he means that no one problem will ever get big enough to make the people want to overthrow or "fix" the government.  

Why does the American form of government work?

    In Federalist Essay no. 10, James Madison argues that through the constitution, factions would not be able to gain power over a minority. Madison's main purpose was to create a fair society, where everyone's voice/ needs would be satisfied. This was important since the protests of Shay's Rebellion in the late 1700's, imposes James Madison to propose the idea of a Republic; where rebellion would be dispelled. James Madison says there are creditors and debtors implying that the majority will want to rule over a minority and continue doing so. In order to rid the government of oppression, Madison exemplifies a type of Republic. Through this Republic, people would have an impact over the states and contribute. James Madison proposes that there be a form of government where factions are checked on so that no faction can rue over the other, hence control can be maintained. Fulfilling the interests of the people through government was difficult, but Madison proposed that through a state legislature, and a federal government; everyone's needs would be satisfied.
     In Federalist Essay no. 51, Madison makes one of the biggest contributions to the US government today. Madison's main focus was to make sure that power was distributed equally, so that there was no possibility of an uprising of a tyrannical dictator. Madison urges the idea of Checks and Balances. Essentially, what this does is divide the powers of the government into three branches. James Madison proposes that the government's power would become of lesser interest to the people if power was distributed equally. This was the Separation of Powers. The Separation of powers was divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch is also divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate in order to justify voting and provide equal representation of the big states in comparison to the smaller states with less population.

Why Does the American Form of Government Work?

The Federalist No. 10

1. "No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time; yet what are many of the most important acts of legislation, but so many judicial determinations, not indeed concerning the rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens? And what are the different classes of legislators but advocates and parties to the causes which they determine?"

2. "In the first place, it is to be remarked that, however small the republic may be, the representatives must be raised to a certain number, in order to guard against the cabals of a few; and that, however large it may be, they must be limited to a certain number, in order to guard against the confusion of a multitude. Hence, the number of representatives in the two cases not being in proportion to that of the two constituents, and being proportionally greater in the small republic, it follows that, if the proportion of fit characters be not less in the large than in the small republic, the former will present a greater option, and consequently a greater probability of a fit choice."

The Federalist No. 51

1. "But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others. The provision for defense must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack. Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary."

2. "But it is not possible to give to each department an equal power of self-defense. In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions and their common dependence on the society will admit."

The American form of government works due to its ability to cater to the masses and the states while maintaining order through the three branches.  Because America is a democracy,  members of society are allowed to vote for their representatives in the House of Representatives, their Senators, and the President.  However, they are not individually represented when it comes to proposing/ passing laws, bills, making decisions about wars, and other major national events, allowing the government to have a higher up power, and avoid chaos caused by multiples upon multiples of opinions (Article 10 quote 2).  However, by having the three branches of government that check and balance each other, one person or group is unable to gain control of the government and work for their own personal gain (Article 10/ 51 quotes 1). The government also caters to the states by making the legislative branch split between the House of Representatives and the Senate and electoral votes to please both bigger and smaller states (# 51 quote 2).  The way the Constitution was wrote also provides a strong federal government while allowing states freedom in establishing laws that are not directly mentioned in the Constitution. 

“Why does the American form of government work?”

Federalist Essays  #10

“By 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, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.

There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.

There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.”

In this section, it is explained that when a group of a small or large amount of people is formed, and is not cooperating very well with something happening in the community, and decide to act upon it with misbehaviours or rebellion, there are ways to stop this and to decrease it, and that has been by taking their liberty given to them, or give them a common interest in which they can agree upon with the rest of the community to have a common “passion”. That is shown that when there is a small or large group that does not like an idea passed, the government looks for a solution in which can keep most or all of the citizens happy and share common interests, as explained by Madison in the passage above. But, it has been shown that it has been difficult to have everyone on the same page because everyone has different views and perspectives.

“Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society. Those who are creditors, and those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views. The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.”

The different classes in which the people come from, depending whether they are rich or poor, or if they have land or not; makes the interest and views of the citizens different. So in that case they have different passions and in what they see to be important. In these types of situations, it is important to have an equal and a well organized, divided government in which can work efficiently , in order to meet most of the interests that the citizens have. The government has been divided into three branches, and work together in order to keep the interests of the people in mind, of those with property and the ones without property as well.

Federalist Essays #51

“ First. In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.”

In this section, Madison explains how the different governments control themselves, but at the same they are being checked to make sure that they are the right track, and not making their own and independent decisions that can create a sort of disruption. This is now known as the Checks and Balances, where the other departments, such as the branches, have some sort of influence to make sure that power is not being totally controlled by individuals or groups. Just like in essay #10, this seems to be created so that there is no faction with their own independent passion and interests. Continue to have a stabilized and well organized government.

“This policy of supplying, by opposite and rival interests, the defect of better motives, might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public. We see it particularly displayed in all the subordinate distributions of power, where the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other -- that the private interest of every individual may be a sentinel over the public rights. These inventions of prudence cannot be less requisite in the distribution of the supreme powers of the State.”

Again, in this section Madison explains how the power is divided and organized in a way that each department can have their own control but at the same time be checked by other departments to make sure that the equal rights of the individuals are protected. As well to make sure that the power is well distributed and balanced and for there not be unbalanced power. This again shows Checks and Balances, and how the different departments in the government are independent and can run things in a way that is equal for everyone, but still keep an eye on each other to make sure that everything is fair for everyone and there is no independent thought that can impact the rights of a citizen.

Why does the American form of government work?

The American form of government is not one simple ordinary orchestrated system that works with minial pieces holding it together. Our form of government is complexly held together by a string of parts that are equally important and without one, the system becomes corrupt and will swing towards the extremes of the political spectrum.

In the Federalist Article #10 by James Madison, he explains about how government can stop the meddling of the different factions.

"There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.It could never be more truly said than of the first remedy, that it was worse than the disease. Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency."

"The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State. "

James Madison is saying the ways he thinks would help the relationship of the government and the different factions. He believes that the government can either destroy liberty or give the citizens more liberty. He truely believes that it would be really stupid to abolish liberty, which is essential, but it would change the spectrum into a "destructive agency" (or Corruption). His idea of abolishing liberty to the factions, he thinks is logical, but it would not do much good. he calls it a "disease". Madison's two ideas are both ways to remove the factions and their liberties in society, but realize that both ways might not work well in the long term. Removing the liberty of factions will trigger outrage from the people, politcal disputes and also will be creating tyranny. Madison explains how the way the factions will be seperated will stop the uprisings, he says that the seperate factions might be able to start an uprising within a state, but not in the country with all the centralized power in the government. His thoughts will become a better, and bigger state that are stronger than the states.

Also by Madison, Federalist Article #51 talks about how the government needs to be checked in order to prevent a tyranny or assumption of power.

"First. In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself."  

Madison also said that "But it is not possible to give to each department an equal power of self-defense. In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions and their common dependence on the society will admit. It may even be necessary to guard against dangerous encroachments by still further precautions. As the weight of the legislative authority requires that it should be thus divided, the weakness of the executive may require, on the other hand, that it should be fortified. An absolute negative on the legislature appears, at first view, to be the natural defense with which the executive magistrate should be armed. But perhaps it would be neither altogether safe nor alone sufficient. On ordinary occasions it might not be exerted with the requisite firmness, and on extraordinary occasions it might be perfidiously abused. May not this defect of an absolute negative be supplied by some qualified connection between this weaker department and the weaker branch of the stronger department, by which the latter may be led to support the constitutional rights of the former, without being too much detached from the rights of its own department?"

In article 51, Madison talks about the citizens surrendering their power to be protected by a multi-branch government. The power given by the citizens would be split up so no single department/branch would be able to be too powerful. He realizes that there would be no way to fully make power equal, but he thinks that a system in which all parts and departments would be able to correct each other if they get too powerful. Each would control each other, and it would control itself. His idea is a self sufficient government that relies on each other to create a stable and existing government that would equally be represented and equally powerful. He says that the government itself cannot be equally divided into the powers, but it is able to be self-sufficient and also able to govern and not be too weak. He says that the connection between the branches might be weak, but powers will be able to balance out and protect the equality of the people and the branches of government. He realizes that the government relies on natural defenses. Where the weight of the government and the people be balanced in order for the government to not collide with the public and fall.