How the American Government Works; according to Federalist Papers 10 and 51

Why does the American Form of Government Work?

First, the points of Federalist Essay (FE) no. 51.

In FE 51, there are two main points convincing the American public as to how the proposed Constitution would protect them from dictatorship and tyranny by the majority. The essay touches on an idea that is largely accredited to Montesquieu, which is the separation of powers within the government. The essay reminds us that our government is in fact divided into three separate branches, which are as equal in power as possible. The author of FE51 also states that because the legislative branch is recognized as the most powerful of the three, it is divided into two separate parts (House and Senate) that have very different methods of picking representatives. The author affirms that our bicameral legislature is an added safeguard against tyranny. Then the essay adresses a common concern: that self-government could not work in a country as large as the United States. The author reminds us that as a large nation, we have diversity on our side. Because of our diversity, it is impossible for the legislature to be of all one group, and therefore impossible for the government to oppress specific groups, as all are represented within the government.

In Federalist Essay no. 10 (FE10), there is one main point which adresses concerns as to different factions of minorities and how their revolutions might be dangerous for the common good. This essay got the most attention because at the time it was written, the country had just had to deal with Shay's Rebellion, a revolution led by a veteran who gathered about a hundred farmers to protest debtors. The Rebellion opened some eyes in the public and in the government as to just how ineffective the Articles of Confederation were in matters of safety and protection of property. As a response to this, FE10 affirms that the Constitution would prevent factions from going against the law in advancing their own goals, and the essay also takes a sentence to remind the public that the Constitution will protect property rights.