“Why does the American form of government work?”

Throughout history, various attempts at creating a stable and successful government have been made all over the world. In regards to the democratic republic established in the United States of America, the founding fathers were influenced by ideas from the Enlightenment thinkers, the Renaissance, and other intellectual movements. This in turn allowed them to manufacture an effective republic based on the protection of human rights, representation of citizens in legislature, and the separation of powers in government.

Federalist #10

“As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed [...] The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.“

In this passage, James Madison emphasizes the importance of respecting the varying opinions, passions, and things of importance to citizens in order to create a successful form of government. It is necessary to protect and respect the population's different opinions, feelings, and social status, in order to comprise a successful government which adheres to their concerns and wishes. Madison also points out that it is the government's duty to acknowledge their citizens' "divisions" and protect their voices from persecution/mockery, as they are the people living in the nation of the United States and therefore have distinct rights and freedoms.

“ If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican principle, which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by regular vote [...] 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. ”

Madison states that in any effective government, it is important to recognize the power of democracy and the majority vote. Through suffrage, "sinister views" are "defeat[ed]" by the voting process, which allows the government and legislature to progress in a positive and able manner. James Madison also addresses that while not all views are passed and accepted in the legislation process, because the majority is at the service of the people, it is expected and necessary that they "sacrifice" their desires for the good of the people and nation.

By respecting the rights of individuals, their opinions, and needs as a whole, an efficient government is allowed to acheive progress and continue to serve for the good of the people.

Federalist #51

“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. “

In a proper and valid democratic republic, Madison points out that it is vital that the various components and officials of the government cannot be easily corrupted or overpowered. To combat this issue of possible tyrannical action by one "department" of government, the United States established the separation of powers, which supplied each branch of government with a form of security. By differentiating the three branches, giving them specific abilities/powers, and ensuring that they were not heavily involved in the matters of one another, the American government prevented corruption, intimidation, and the desire for power from consuming the nation and affecting the lives of the public.

“Whilst all authority in it will be derived from and dependent on the society, the society itself will be broken into so many parts, interests, and classes of citizens, that the rights of individuals, or of the minority, will be in little danger from interested combinations of the majority. In a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights.”

James Madison reaffirms the ideal that governmental power is "derived" and controlled by the public. In any competent government, the officials recognize that the happiness of the people, dictates the stability and continuance of a strong nation. To acheive this, Madison reiterates the importance of protecting "civil [...and] religious rights" of the people in a republic. Officials must realize that the success/state of a republic and government of any kind, is dependent on the feelings of citizens, as if they are unhappy it could lead to a revolt and loss of power.

To obtain a successful and stable government, representatives must value the opinions and rights of their people and take measures to ensure that political corruption/greed does not consume a nation's administration.