Why the American Government Works

Over the course of history one can read about many great empire and civilizations that ultimately fell apart not because of foreign aggression, but simply because their systems of government were not necessarily designed to maintain stability. After the War of Independence the Americans were pleased since they had finally been granted their independence. Nevertheless, they soon learned that becoming an independent nation would present a lot of challenges that they had to overcome. The biggest problem they faced was having to construct a central government that was strong yet flexible. Against all odds the Americans were able to pull this off, and by studying history one can understand why the government we have works efficiently. In order to find the answers and the reasons as to why it works,one can read the Federalist Essays.

In the Federalist Essay No. 10, which is one of the most famous of all the eighty-five essays, James Madison eloquently describes the two big differences between pure democracy and a republic. According to him, the first difference is that the delegation of the government in a republic is given to a small number of citizens elected by the rest.

In his essay he states, "The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing the 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 at least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations ... ."

One of the reasons as to why Madison believes in the strength of the republic is delegation. In his mind no matter how big or small a nation may be representatives are needed to represent the voice and the opinions of a certain number of citizens. It is the only way in which the local interests can be communicated to the legislatures. However, the key to make this system work is to make sure that each representative is representing a proper amount of citizens. Otherwise, the representatives will be either less acquainted with local circumstances or unfit to comprehend and pursue the national objects.

The second difference would be the great number of citizens over which a republic may be extended.

James Madison points out that when you "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 ... ."

In other words, by extending the territory that exists under the rule of a republic the intensity of conflicts that might exist between factions will decrease. Therefore, everybody will voice their opinion and nobody else would have the power to infringe upon their rights.

Later, in Federalist Essay No. 51 the author explains two concepts that can be applied to the federal system of America in order to make it work.

First he states that "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 government."

Here the author is referring to a concept we now know as checks and balances. One of the biggest issues that existed at first was finding a way in which no institution would become too powerful and outweigh the others. By making sure that each institution haves a reasonable amount of power not only would the three institutions work together in unison but the people would reap the benefits as well. By living under the rule of a stable government the people would be able to feel as if they were being represented adequately and that the power they had surrendered is being used in a proper manner.

After that, the author also writes that "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."

Just as in a republic the government is divided into different parts, the society it rules is also divided into different groups that have different interests from one another. By keeping one part of society safe from the attacks of other parts of society one can ensure that each part can chase their own interests freely. In a republic it is possible to maintain a balance of power between the different parts of society just as it is possible to maintain a balance of power between the three branches of government, and that is why, according to the author, why a republic can be such an efficient system. This was also the second point that was brought up in the Federalist Essay No. 10.